Conclusions

Puerto Rico produces waste

at an alarming rate. To avoid future
crisis, it takes a collective effort to
start diverting as much solid waste
from landfills. Municipal recycling
programs are already established
therefore these will be the starting
point.
Informing
the
general
population about the entire process,
from what can be recycled, to how
and where it's collected and
processed, is essential in order for the
municipal programs
to work
effectively. Composting programs
and use of biodegradable or reusable
products, require testing in smaller
sectors, businesses or school to prove
their efficiency in reducing solid
waste and to be later implemented
across the entire municipality.
Important locations

Fig.2. Map of Puerto Rico indicating municipalities

containing landfills

Works cited:
Hernndez, G. (2009). Amgen sees big savings by going green. Caribbean Business
Howell, J. P. (2015). Alternative Waste Solutions for the Pacific Region: Learning
from the Hawai'I Experience. Asiapacific Issues, (121), 1-8.
Howell, J. P. (2015). Alternative Waste Solutions for the Pacific Region: Learning
from the Hawai'I Experience. Asiapacific Issues, (121), 1-8
Hunter, J., & Arbona, S. (1995). Paradise lost: An introduction to the geography of
water pollution in Puerto Rico. Social Science & Medicine, 40(10), 1331-1355.
Retireved from www.dx.doi.org.
Junta de Calidad Ambiental, Autoridad de Desperdicios Slidos (2014).
Infraestructura

MAYAGU
EZ
RECYCLI
NG

Sistemas de Relleno Sanitario en Operacin y con rdenes Administrativas por la

Agencia

Fig.2.
Map
of
Mayaguez
indicating locations of collection
centers.

Federal de Proteccin Ambiental (EPA). Retrieved from

www.ads.pr.gov.

Santiago Acosta

Stan, V., Virsta, A., Dusa, E. M., & Glavan, A. M. (2009). Waste
Recycling and Compost

Alejandra Chang

Benefits. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca,

37(2), 9-13.

to inactivate pathogens
thermally (Stan, 2009). Lack o
maintenance to the compost
pile can cause the same to
develop unpleasant smells and
release potentially toxic runoff.
Biodegradable products have
faster degradation rates but
they come with high initial
costs to business and
consumers.
Educating the community, both
young and old, means more
people taking initiative within
any of the proposed solutions.
It provides a sense of
responsibility and
accountability within the
community. Education bills
implementing these ecology
and sustainability programs
could face potential political
difficulties.

The purpose of this proposal is

to inform all relevant parties
(managers, advisors, general
public) of the challenges faced
by Puerto Ricos current solid
waste management as well as
offer possible solutions to divert
solid waste from landfills on the
island.
Community
recycling
programs in Puerto Rico are
the first step towards reducing
the amount of waste in landfills
and
establishing
other
alternatives within solid waste
management.
Among the alternatives

Community recycling
programs
Composting Programs
Biodegradable products
Education

Community programs already

have a system put in place but
the collect a narrow range of
recyclables.
Composting is an alternative
for organic material, as it is
commonly used to treat solid
wastes prior to recycling or

Puerto Rico is a small island

with a lot 3,725,789
inhabitants (United States
Census Bureau, 2010). A lot of
people means a lot of trash
and a lot of trash means
landfills growing in size and
numbers.
Time to take action
Solid waste management is a
key part in a countrys
infrastructure and
environmental protection plan.
Puerto Rico has an abundant
population confined within a
very limited geographical area
and produces waste at an
unsustainable rate. Given
these geographical restrictions
and high waste production,
diverting the amount of solid
waste that goes into landfills is
of upmost importance in order

disposal. It reduces the amount

of material to handle and has
the potential

reduce the amount of land

used for landfills.