The ongoing trash crisis in Havana has once again come under scrutiny following a public complaint by Cuban art director Luis Lacosta. He questioned the execution and subsequent abandonment of a waste collection operation at the corner of his residence.
On Facebook, Lacosta shared his experience from the previous Saturday, when multiple dump trucks, a high-end sewer cleaning unit, a water tanker, and a large scoop-equipped collection team arrived at the site. The workers explained they were from Marianao and had come in a show of "solidarity" to remove the trash, which hadn't been collected for nearly a month.
Lacosta's initial excitement was short-lived. The workers operated for merely 20 minutes, piling some of the trash into a large heap, then left, promising to return the next day. "They vanished, claiming they'd come back on Sunday," Lacosta recounted. Yet, Sunday passed with no sign of their return, prompting his frustration: "Sunday ended, and again, nothing!"
For Lacosta, this wasn't a simple delay but a reflection of institutional disarray and poor planning. "This feels like a big joke," he remarked, questioning why, having been on-site, they failed to complete the trash removal. "What about the fuel wasted?" he added.
Alongside his complaint, the artist shared videos illustrating the situation. In one, the collection team is seen using machinery to shift the waste. Another video, recorded on Monday afternoon, shows the large trash mound gone, but smaller debris still scattered across the area, indicating an incomplete cleanup.
Lacosta challenged viewers to draw their own conclusions from the footage, suggesting that partially removing trash without cleaning the area thoroughly is not a genuine solution but a superficial gesture.
The scenario described by Lacosta is not unique. Across Havana, solid waste accumulates on street corners and avenues, forming makeshift dumps that have become part of the daily landscape. Authorities cite a lack of fuel, the deterioration of garbage trucks, and a shortage of spare parts as reasons for the service breakdown.
Without systematic collection, many residents resort to burning trash to reduce the growing piles, a practice that releases toxic smoke and poses health risks.
Last week, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz called on the public to join a massive citywide cleanup effort. During a visit to the Marianao dump, he urged continued struggle against the challenges and announced the deployment of over 450 teams to support waste collection, prioritizing central areas first.
However, Lacosta's account suggests these sporadic efforts aren't addressing the underlying issue. The persistent trash buildup remains a glaring indicator of the deteriorating public services in Cuba, amid a severe economic and energy crisis that severely impacts citizens' quality of life.
As Havanans continue living amidst the waste, they hope for a more effective and ongoing collection service. As Lacosta wryly noted at the beginning of his post, "I guess I'll wait sitting down."
Understanding Havana's Waste Management Challenges
What are the main reasons for the waste collection issues in Havana?
The primary reasons include a lack of fuel for garbage trucks, the deteriorating state of the vehicle fleet, and a shortage of spare parts necessary for repairs.
How are Havana residents coping with the trash accumulation?
Many residents have resorted to burning their trash to manage the piles, a method that produces toxic smoke and increases health risks.
What actions have been taken by the Cuban government to address this issue?
The government, led by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, has organized a large-scale cleanup initiative and deployed over 450 teams to assist in waste collection, focusing on central areas first.