A “trashy” culture

One of the most visible challenges in Santiago and in Chile that grabs attention immediately is that of trash disposal. All too often the trash receptacles are overfilled, or there is none in site. Trash accumulates… especially in mini-basureros, which are public areas like a street corner that become makeshift mini-trash dumps in residential neighborhoods. Or in parks, on sidewalks, by the side of the road, anywhere. Many people describe it as the “culture.” And this culture is rampant, although it would be entirely incorrect to say that everybody is this way. Too many times I have seen people throw glass bottles or plastic bags out the window of a moving car, or throw popsicle wrappers on the side of the road, or a plastic bag on the ground at a panoramic lookout point. People either think that somebody else who is paid will pick it up or it does no harm. The truth is, one grows accustomed to seeing all the trash and the shock factor wears off.

There have been several successful projects in Santiago, especially Peñalolén, to clean mini-basurero sites. Neighbors become involved in the transformation of the mini trash dump into a green area, taking responsibility for its upkeep. But what I find most astonishing is that when cleaning the dumped trash, they will search for receipts that link the trash to the dumper. As it is often a known neighbor, the people cleaning the area will march to their house and confront the culprit with the proof, telling them to change their habits. This conversion program with neighbor participation has been successful, changing a trash site into a green area or park. 

At times the system to pick up trash is not well implemented. I know areas in the countryside where trash is picked up by the main road a couple times a week, but even people who live by the main road do not know the pattern. Those that live away from the main road do not want to bring down trash when they can burn far more easily on their own property. So consequently, all trash- Styrofoam, tin cans, plastic bags, food waste, is burned. Once at the market a friend insisted on a separate plastic bag when I asked to have the lettuce put in the same bag as the tomatoes. After going back and forth a couple times I relented, but afterwards asked why it was so important to have the bag. The response was that the plastic bag was wanted in order to start a fire. 

Oftentimes more than one barrier exists to a problem, or non-institutional factor such as culture and habit may be more difficult to change than the system. Even if more trash receptacles are more common, many people will choose not to use them. Certainly improved infrastructure is helpful, but without education and a shift in habits and thinking, it will not be satisfactory. 

The 'culture' of dumping trash, or throwing trash wherever is widespread. This was outside Los Andes, a small town outside of Santiago towards the Argentine border. 

Dumped and burned. Not out of the ordinary...

Even if there is trash pickup, that does not guarantee that is efficient. In Ancud, Chiloe, there are no containers for trash so bags are placed on the sidewalk or street for truck.. or canine... pickup. 

This was frustrating to me- September 18th, the national holiday, draws a crowd in the thousands over a four-five day holiday in Parque O'Higgens. But there was not a SINGLE trash can in site, causing it to be littered everywhere... 

ok ok unfair, this trash receptacle is from a very high-end hotel in Bariloche, Argentina. In Chile it is what one would call "cuico"