Havana waste management crisis worsens amid fuel shortages

Havana is facing a severe waste management crisis characterized by uncollected garbage, overflowing containers, and growing piles of refuse in various neighborhoods. In Luyanó, a massive trash heap has remained uncollected for over four months near the Pepe Barrientos Recreational and Sports Center, posing health risks to students and residents due to foul odors and increased insect activity.

The crisis is driven by systemic failures, including a critical shortage of diesel and mechanical spare parts. At the start of 2026, only 41 out of 106 garbage collection trucks in the capital were operational. With the city producing up to 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily, an estimated 20,000 cubic meters go uncollected each day. Additionally, the city faces a significant shortage of waste bins.

In response to the state system's inability to maintain service, private entities and small businesses (mipymes) have begun intervening. In municipalities like Playa and Guanabacoa, private managers coordinate with state entities, while in Vedado, independent collectors use electric tricycles to remove waste for a fee paid by neighbors and businesses.