Bogota is an environmentalist's worst nightmare. No recycling plan, diesel belching buses, polluted rivers. But, things are looking up.
Clouds of diesel fumes clog Bogotá’s major intersections leading to a dramatic increase in juvenile respiratory problems. Piles of garbage lie strewn on street corners. In downtown areas greenery and awareness of environmental matters are pathetically scant. Welcome to one of South America’s most polluted capitals. Bogota is an environmental chaos.
Recycling
The City Government declared that in Bogota every day a staggering 5,800 tonnes of household waste is sent to the landfill site in the barrio of Dona Juana in the southeast of the city. This dump is reaching its capacity and is the only one in the Bogota.
The local government’s aim is to recycle 30 per cent of all of this waste. A total of 1740 tonnes of garbage per day.
So, it was summarily announced in this week’s El Tiempo newspaper that the City would be adopting an aggressive recycling program starting in December. Homeowners will be required to separate their discards into three bags. A clear bag to contain plastics, glass, cans and paper. A dark bag for organic waste and all the rest in another bag.
The Problems with Recycling in Bogota
Without a robust education scheme to encourage business and homeowners into recycling there is likely to be little or no change in the refuse habits of this Colombian city. As yet, nothing has been done and bizarrely no recycling plants have yet to be opened.
What of the current Recicladores?
Interestingly enough many Bogotano’s have expressed concern for the current “recicladores” – recyclers – faceless individuals existing on the margins of society - who scour the dustbins of the streets of the capital in the late afternoon and well into the night looking for discards that they can sell on or re-use. An argument raised in support of the local government’s scheme is that this will formalise their work and existance and therefore provide them with a job with dignity and stable income.
Could this start a snowball effect?
Bogotano’s interviewed knew nothing of the proposed recycling plan but all expressed an interest in the scheme saying that they would attempt to adhere to new regulations. This is cause for some hope. Could this lead to an environmental awareness that begins here with recycling and then moves into other spheres?
The Bus dilemma
The most obvious and visible culprits in the rampant contaminating of the city are the flotilla of ancient and decrepit buses. Taking on the issues of the diesel belching buses will be something that the new mayor (elections in November) will have to address at some point in his tenure. Despite worthy attempts by previous Mayors the bus unions appear too powerful to tackle and any threat to their hegemony leads to citywide strikes. Bogota is paralysed.
Bogotá’s Rivers
Located on the altiplano, Bogota benefits from underground sources and springs that have their origins in the mountains on the eastern side of the city. The city also receives more than its fair share of rain. But, Bogotá’s rivers are claimed to be amongst the most polluted in the world. Just a cursory glance reveals stagnant pools plugged motionless with refuse and sludge. Nothing can survive here.
The Athens of South America
Bogota is often dubbed “the Athens of South America” for is well educated, polite and cultured citizenry. People here do take to proposed plans if they can see a benefit and this characteristic is cause for great optimism. An awareness may be sparked that spreads through the country to other major cities and beyond.
Bring on December 3!
