This past Sunday, the Rampa neighborhood in Havana's Plaza de la Revolución district launched a pilot program known as "El Rampeño," a local development initiative utilizing electric tricycles for door-to-door waste collection. The program introduces distinct fees: 100 pesos monthly for each household and a starting rate of 15,000 pesos for private businesses, small enterprises, and state organizations.
This effort comes after years of public outcry over the city's waste management collapse—a dilemma not confined to Rampa but pervasive throughout Havana. As of February 2026, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks in the capital were operational, leaving up to 23,814 cubic meters of waste uncollected daily in a city that produces between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of waste each day.
Pedro Lizardo, head of the Rampa neighborhood council, mentioned that the service operates in two scheduled rounds: "Two departures, one at 7 a.m. and another at 8 p.m. We’ve emphasized the importance of timely waste disposal."
The initial results were promising, according to Lizardo: "A full district can be covered by the tricycle in 40 minutes. It's been a process that allowed us to make some adjustments, yet it has fundamentally worked well."
Industrial and Residential Waste Collection Fees
Lizardo clarified that "differentiated rates will be applied, including a 100 pesos monthly fee per residence," with exemptions for those in economic hardship.
Lilian Pérez, a project worker, elaborated on the fees for non-residential sectors: "Payments start at 15,000 pesos monthly, and go higher from there, never lower," covering small enterprises, private businesses, and state companies.
The initiative currently employs five drivers and five assistants, though plans include expanding to a fleet of 30 electric tricycles, creating additional direct employment opportunities.
Solar-Powered Infrastructure
The project's energy infrastructure relies on a "solinera"—a solar charging station with photovoltaic panels—located at the intersection of 23rd and J streets in Vedado, which charges the tricycles independently from the National Electric System.
Havana's garbage crisis has direct health implications: Cuba ended 2025 with over 81,000 official cases of dengue and chikungunya, and by June 2026, there were more than 2,800 active cases across 134 municipalities.
The government's responses have been inadequate. The "Operation Clean-Up" campaign in October and November 2025 removed 396,157 cubic meters of waste in 20 days, but trash reaccumulated within weeks.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged the institutional failure to tackle the issue in December 2025. In May 2026, residents of the Casino Deportivo neighborhood took waste collection into their own hands, while others resorted to burning accumulated waste.
Havana's residents are cautiously optimistic about the project. Sarah, a Rampa resident, expressed a common sentiment: "The key is that it works, that it persists, which would be ideal, because the streets are truly in bad shape. Here, we start, and then after three days..."
If the pilot proves successful, "El Rampeño" is set to be implemented in Havana's other four waste collection zones.
FAQs on Havana's New Waste Collection Initiative
What is "El Rampeño" project in Havana?
"El Rampeño" is a pilot project in Havana's Rampa neighborhood using electric tricycles for door-to-door waste collection, with differentiated fees for households and businesses.
How much do residents and businesses pay for waste collection under "El Rampeño"?
Residents pay 100 pesos monthly per household, while businesses start at 15,000 pesos monthly, with fees increasing depending on the size and type of business.
What challenges does Havana face in waste management?
Havana struggles with a significant waste management issue, with only a fraction of garbage trucks operational, leading to thousands of cubic meters of uncollected waste daily.