Chitré landfill cleanup advances in stages to improve waste management

Cleanup work at the Chitré landfill is advancing in stages after the site accumulated large amounts of waste and had almost reached its operating capacity.

The municipality signed an agreement with Panama’s Urban and Household Cleaning Authority, known as AAUD, to monitor the work. AAUD administrator Ovil Moreno said the institution’s engineers designed a new layout for the site, including six cells to contain waste.

“Everything is being contained. These six cells will allow us to bring in the equipment so they can begin disposal,” Moreno said. A Chitré family donated clay from private land for the construction of the cell walls.

One of the landfill’s most difficult areas has also been treated. Mayor Juan Carlos Huerta said a section affected by a small fire about three years ago had made access difficult. Authorities have now controlled and sealed the area, covering waste with clay to reduce oxygen and help prevent further incidents.

Chitré’s cleanup is part of a broader effort involving municipalities across the Azuero region, which has 12 open-air landfills. The Chitré project will proceed through three stages. Authorities aim eventually to close open-air landfills and establish more suitable waste-treatment and disposal systems, including waste-processing plants.

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Everything is being contained. These six cells will allow us to bring in the equipment so they can begin disposal.