PESCADERO LANDFILL PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS

The Problem:

Waste management in Mexico is a national problem so we don’t expect any quick solutions from the government or our municipality. In our region, there is only a single landfill located in Todos Santos on the road to Pescadero which has these problems: 

• The landfill is not properly licensed, managed, equipped or adequately staffed. 

• There is no separation of materials during trash collection. 

• There is no segregating or recycling of trash when it arrives at the landfill. 

• Yard waste and organic waste are not separated out

• There are very frequent trash fires caused by lack of segregation.

Landfill fires are caused by mixing organic matter with plastics which results in spontaneous combustion. The fires are very difficult to extinguish because plastics are made from petroleum so water can’t be used to fight the blaze.

If the dump had separate areas for glass, plastic, metal, paper, cardboard, organic matter (food scraps), construction debris and yard waste the dump could stop the fires. Instead, we end up with fires and the resulting smoke containing dioxins which cause cancer and respiratory problems to the citizens of Pescadero.

The Health Effects of Trash Fires

Acids and other chemicals emitted by trash fires can cause severe bronchial-constriction in asthmatics and can make it difficult for people with emphysema to breathe. The irritation of the lungs can reduce the amount of oxygen available to the heart and lungs and is especially dangerous for seniors, people with heart disease and children. 

Chronic diseases like bronchitis, emphysema and most cancer can take 20 years to develop and can be caused by low exposures to smoke and toxins which originally appeared harmless. 

Children can be at much greater risk. Because of their body size, they inhale more air per pound of body mass than adults and can absorb a proportionately larger "dose" of toxins. Also, children's bodies are more susceptible to damage from the mercury, lead, cadmium and other heavy metals found in the smoke because their nervous systems are not fully developed.

The Solutions

What You Can Do at Home

Since the government is not going to take care of the problem, all of us need to take responsibility for the waste we generate at home and businesses need to take care of their waste too. Here is an example of how to manage your waste at home and in a restaurant. 

Use a garbage can for trash, a separate bag or bin for recycling and a separate bin for organic waste that you can compost.