The Cuban government has announced its search for foreign investors to address the country's solid waste management crisis, particularly in Havana, where the growing accumulation of trash poses a serious health risk to thousands. Granma reported that several foreign investors have presented their solutions to the waste problem under the Havana Integrated Waste Management System. The regime claims that over ten foreign investment projects are under consideration.
The Deputy Director of Investments and Development of the Provincial Directorate of Communal Services, Hermes Tomás del Toro Acevedo, stated that most of these projects aim to generate electricity, utilize gases, and recycle various materials such as plastics and glass. However, none of these projects are operational yet. As ideas and bureaucratic paperwork advance, garbage continues to pile up on the streets of Havana and other cities across the country.
A Japanese company proposed setting up a waste management plant where unsorted waste would be processed to recover recyclables and generate electricity. The foreign company would handle the entire logistics chain. Meanwhile, a Mexican group proposes manufacturing furniture for the tourism industry from waste materials, inspired by circular economy theories. Although this sounds promising, it may not be what Cuba needs most urgently.
The Mexican project would utilize solid waste buried in the landfill on 100th Street in Marianao. Additionally, in collaboration with a Swiss cooperation agency, they plan to extract methane gas for use as fuel and eco-friendly combustion, earning a carbon credit from the United Nations. An Argentine project aims to convert calorific waste into "paca," a type of biofuel. Spanish and Hungarian companies propose generating electricity from waste treatment, supporting the production of construction materials and paper, respectively. An Italian company would use Havana's waste for small-scale recycling and energy supply.
A "scientific group" comprising specialists from numerous Cuban institutions is currently evaluating these proposals. Among the mentioned institutions are:
- Provincial Directorate of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment
- Universities
- National Institute of Hydraulic Resources
- Ministry of Public Health
- Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment
- Provincial Hygiene Company
The government itself acknowledged that open-air landfills have existed in the capital since 1976. The largest are in Marianao, El Cotorro, and Havana del Este, all of which are significant sources of pollution. In April, a study by Cuba Siglo 21 revealed that Havana fails to collect the equivalent of three Olympic-size swimming pools of garbage each day. The capital has become a "critical public health hazard" due to street-side dumps that foster the spread of rats, mosquitoes, dengue, leptospirosis, and cause urban fires due to methane gas production.
Foreign Investment in Cuba's Waste Management
Given the severe waste management issues in Cuba, particularly in Havana, the search for foreign investment has become a pressing concern. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to this topic.
Why is Cuba seeking foreign investment for waste management?
Cuba is seeking foreign investment to address the severe waste management crisis, particularly in Havana, where the accumulation of garbage poses health risks and environmental hazards.
What types of projects are being proposed by foreign investors?
Foreign investors have proposed projects focused on generating electricity, recycling materials, and utilizing gases. These include setting up waste management plants, manufacturing furniture from waste, and converting waste into biofuel.
Which institutions in Cuba are involved in evaluating these foreign investment proposals?
A scientific group with specialists from various Cuban institutions, including the Provincial Directorate of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, universities, and ministries of public health, science, technology, and environment, are evaluating these proposals.
What are the main challenges facing waste management in Havana?
The main challenges include the accumulation of uncollected garbage, open-air landfills that have existed since 1976, and the resulting public health hazards such as the spread of rats, mosquitoes, dengue, and leptospirosis.