Panama advances waste management and sanitation projects

Authorities in Panama are implementing new measures to improve waste management and sanitation. In La Chorrera, the Mayor's Office has launched a public bidding process to select a new company for the sweeping, collection, and final disposal of solid waste. Mayor Eloy Chong confirmed that the bidding process will remain open on the digital platform until October and emphasized that the new contract will not result in increased residential rates for taxpayers.

The current provider, Veolia Panamá, is not expected to receive extensions to its contract. Local officials noted that the new concessionaire must possess the operational and logistical capacity to handle the district's rapid urban and population growth.

In Chitré, the sanitation of the local landfill is progressing through several stages to mitigate environmental impacts. The Urban and Domestic Sanitation Authority (AAUD) has signed an agreement to oversee the works, which include the construction of six new cells to confine waste after the site reached its capacity. Efforts also include sealing areas previously affected by fires to prevent future incidents and using clay to cover waste and reduce oxygen levels.