Cuba waste management crisis

Waste management issues have escalated across Cuba, characterized by significant refuse accumulation and systemic service failures. In Las Tunas, residents reported micro-dumps and irregular collection near homes and schools, with one citizen stating, “Nuestra ciudad es un vertedero vivo en cada esquina” (Our city is a living landfill on every corner). Local authorities attributed these difficulties to fuel shortages and the transitional state of communal service entities.

The crisis has intensified in Havana, where massive trash heaps have remained uncollected for months, creating health risks due to odors and insects. The situation is driven by a critical lack of diesel, mechanical spare parts, and waste bins. Data indicates that at the start of 2026, only 41 out of 106 garbage collection trucks in the capital were operational, leaving an estimated 20,000 cubic meters of daily waste uncollected. In response to the state's inability to maintain services, private entities and small businesses (mipymes) have begun intervening through coordinated management or independent collection services.