Guatemala approves a new Solid Waste Management National Policy


< Regresar

The National Policy for the Solid Waste Management of Guatemala has been approved last January,13th with the publication of the Acuerdo Gubernativo Número 281-2015 in the Diario de Centroamérica. The analysis and evaluation process for the adequacy of the policy has been coordinated by our 2014 MAR Fellow, MSc. Arq. Melissa Álvarez Barrientos, assessor of the Solid Waste Management Department for the Ministry of Environment (Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales -MARN-).

The twelve month process, was led by Ing. Jorge Grande Carballo, chief of the Solid Waste Management Department and assessed by MA. Licda. Claudia Pamela Altan of Policies Direction. The multi-disciplinary professional team of the MARN and the representatives of the “Mesa Coordinadora para el Manejo y Gestión Integral de los Residuos y Desechos Sólidos”, representing 9 institutions and sectors, supported the process.

multidiscip MARNThe multi-disciplinary team involved in the process of the Solid Waste Management National Policy

Various program and lines of action are established in the National Policy. Among them, the institutional strengthening which includes the assessment to the municipalities and communities for their development and the implementation of strategic tools as solid waste management.

Melissa’s 2014 MAR Leadership project, Implementation of municipal plans for solid waste management in the Livingston municipality and the Motagua watershed, was focusing on the elaboration, publication and socialization of solid waste management plans to reduce the pollution affecting Guatemala’s ecosystem, particularly the Motagua watershed.

With her project, the 2014 MAR Fellow seeks to reduce the amount of solid waste entering aquatic ecosystems that end up in the Meso American Reef system, representing a direct threat to the ecosystem and the community.She was financed by a cooperation between MARN and GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) for the diagramming, illustrating and printing of her final document.

Melissa

The 2014 MAR Leadership Fellow, Melissa Álvarez presenting the scopes of the Solid Waste Management National Policy.

Thanks to the acquired experience during the MAR Leadership Program training year, Melissa Álvarez, has gained the opportunity to implement actions during the process of the National Policy for Solid Waste Management.

The Policy proposal has been validated and socialized during the entire process, more than 250 persons, representing public and private sector involved in the management, participated.

The aproval of the National Policy will impulse numerous actions, like Melissa’s initiative, to improve the country’s waste management.

This event shows, through the active participation and support, Guatemala’s Government and population support and commitment to conserve their natural and humane resources, including the Meso American Reef System.

Congratulations!