Regulatory harmonisation: Guatemala’s pending waste solution  

September 27, 2023

In Guatemala, the complexity of waste management is not only restricted to logistical aspects or citizen awareness; the root of the challenge lies largely in the country’s legal infrastructure.

The absence of unified regulations for waste treatment and disposal has resulted in a patchwork of practices that, instead of solving the problem, aggravate it. This situation is the result of the lack of a clear and consistent regulatory framework to guide and coordinate the various municipalities in the country.

The scenario is further complicated by the onus on citizens to contract collection services. Without a centralised system or adequate incentives, many opt for cheaper solutions or even dispose of their waste in undesignated areas, increasing pollution and environmental impact. This combination of factors, where legal shortcomings, limited options and uninformed individual decisions coincide, has created a breeding ground for the current crisis.

Municipal chaos

Decentralised waste management in Guatemala, by granting autonomy to each municipality, was originally proposed as a strategy to allow for solutions tailored to local realities. However, this ideal has not materialised uniformly across the country. While decentralisation aims to recognise and address the individual needs of each region, in practice it has exacerbated differences in waste management, creating a wide gap between municipalities with resources and expertise and those facing limitations in both aspects.

Some municipalities, through a combination of resources, political will and citizen participation, have been able to develop waste management systems that not only comply with basic regulations, but also seek sustainability and reduced environmental impacts. However, there are others that, due to lack of technical or financial capacity or simply a long-term vision, fail to address the problem effectively.

The phenomenon of transferring waste from one municipality with limited capacities to another that may have slightly better, but equally insufficient, infrastructure is a palpable example of the system’s shortcomings. This practice not only highlights the lack of adequate facilities in many areas, but also highlights a reactionary rather than preventive approach to waste management. Transporting waste from one place to another without a clear strategy often results in a multiplication of problems, with waste ending up in undesignated areas or overloading existing facilities.

While some municipalities have made progress in creating regulations to properly manage waste, the lack of efficient monitoring and control mechanisms undermines these efforts. A regulation without adequate follow-up and strong sanctions for those who do not respect it ends up being little more than a recommendation. It is essential to strengthen oversight structures and ensure that regulations are applied uniformly and fairly.

Finally, harmful practices, such as depositing waste in unauthorised places or dumping directly into water sources, are not only the result of a lack of awareness or education, but also of a system that has failed to provide clear, accessible and efficient solutions for all. Illegal landfills and the pollution of natural spaces have become visible symptoms of a deeper structural problem. These practices, which harm not only the environment but also the health and well-being of citizens, reflect the urgent need to reconsider and reformulate the current approach to waste management in Guatemala.

The lost value: Waste recovery

Waste, often seen as a problem to be eliminated, can be reinterpreted as a valuable opportunity waiting to be seized. Its correct management not only avoids environmental damage, but also opens the door to economic and environmental opportunities. The traditional view of waste as worthless has led to neglect and improper disposal. However, changing this perception and seeing waste as a resource opens up endless possibilities for reuse, recycling and transformation.

Standardising waste management is the first step in this process. In doing so, the basis for identifying, classifying and processing different types of waste is established. This, in turn, identifies which wastes are recyclable, which can be reused and which are suitable for more advanced processes, such as energy generation. If handled haphazardly or mixed without a criterion, these opportunities are lost, and what could have been a source of resources becomes a threat to the environment.

Sweden’s experience is a shining example of what can be achieved when waste is seen as a resource rather than a problem. Thanks to a progressive vision and the implementation of sound public policies, Sweden has succeeded in transforming its waste into a source of energy. Advanced incineration, a technique that allows waste to be burned under controlled conditions, generates electricity and heat. This process not only contributes to reducing the accumulation of waste in landfills, but also represents an alternative source of energy, reducing dependence on non-renewable sources. The key to Sweden’s success lies in a combination of technology, political will and effective legislation. Legislation that not only establishes clear rules, but also ensures that they are enforced, ensuring that all actors, from businesses to citizens, collaborate in this joint effort.

The example of Sweden illustrates what is possible when vision, will and action are combined. It is a demonstration of how proper waste management can become a win-win solution, benefiting both the environment and the economy. Guatemala has the opportunity to learn from these experiences and adapt them to its own context, transforming its waste problem into an opportunity for a sustainable future.

What next?

Waste management in Guatemala faces multifaceted challenges ranging from a lack of legal infrastructure to logistical challenges and considerable variability in municipal capacities. Despite regional differences, the constant is clear: waste, far from being mere waste, represents an untapped opportunity for energy generation, job creation and the promotion of a circular economy. The experiences of countries that have transformed their approach to waste, such as Sweden, illuminate a path towards the possibility of reconceptualising how nations deal with their waste.

For Guatemala to achieve a similar transformation, it is essential to reconsider the current legal and operational structure of waste management. This involves creating a unified regulatory framework, strengthening monitoring and control, and encouraging responsible disposal and recycling practices at the individual and municipal levels. Establishing robust and sustainable waste management systems will not only ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, but will also foster a greener and more sustainable economy, where every waste, instead of being a problem, becomes a vital part of the solution.



Author: Rodolfo Salazar, Partner, BLP


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