A garbage dump in the middle of a street in the Mantilla neighborhood of Havana caught fire, causing significant inconvenience to local residents. "On Progreso Street, between 6 and 7. This is a major hazard, especially with the wind we have now," a neighbor reported in the Facebook group Somos Mantilla.
The post received numerous comments. One person complained about the amount of trash littering the streets of Havana. "Too much filth and garbage on the streets. There's a stench everywhere," they said. Another user mentioned that if the residents themselves don't start the fires in the large garbage piles on the capital's streets, the unsanitary conditions will reach their homes.
A study by Cuba Siglo 21 revealed that in the Cuban capital, the government fails to collect the equivalent of three Olympic-sized swimming pools of garbage each day. The city has become a health hazard where street-level dumps encourage the proliferation of rats and mosquitoes, leading to diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis.
The situation has deteriorated to the point where residents are setting the garbage piles on fire themselves. Reports of urban fires are increasing, posing extreme dangers due to the production of methane gas in these street-level micro-dumps.
Key Issues Surrounding Havana's Garbage Problem
This section addresses frequently asked questions about the serious waste management issues plaguing Havana, focusing on the dangers and health risks posed by the ongoing garbage crisis.
Why is the garbage collection in Havana so inadequate?
The inadequacy is largely due to the government's failure to efficiently manage waste collection services, leading to a buildup of trash equivalent to three Olympic-sized swimming pools each day.
What health risks are associated with the garbage problem in Havana?
The accumulation of garbage promotes the breeding of rats and mosquitoes, which can spread diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis, posing serious health risks to residents.
Are residents contributing to the fires in garbage dumps?
Yes, due to the overwhelming amount of trash and the slow response from the government, some residents have resorted to setting the garbage on fire, which further exacerbates the problem by producing dangerous methane gas.