In the heart of Holguin, as the city falls silent, a harmful practice takes hold. Burning trash and toxic waste has become a clandestine ritual. Carried out by unscrupulous hands that ignore the consequences of this act. For the health of all of us who live near a garbage container or simply any space. Where, one day, people started dumping trash until it became a vast landfill where all kinds of waste end up.
So this sadly recurring scenario is repeated in so many corners of Holguin’s neighborhoods that I’ve lost count. And the worst part comes when the waste turns to smoke and ash.
Those of us who live in this city, once considered one of the cleanest in Cuba, now face an invisible enemy: the toxicity brought by burning the most diverse materials in the open containers. From broken LED tubes and plastic bottles to decomposing animals, food scraps, and the occasional expired medicine bottle or blister pack. A latent danger cannot be ignored: incinerated waste is not only an attack on the environment but also a direct threat to health.
Photo: Maylín Betancourt Verdecia
Perhaps ignorance prevails among those who see fire as a quick fix for a problem that requires responsible attention. Or perhaps a lack of awareness about the harmful effects of these practices is taking its toll. The truth is that every breath of polluted air is a reminder that the health of many may be at risk.
The regulations of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) and environmental laws seem to be just empty words if they are not rigorously enforced. But how can this dangerous trend be stopped? The answer is clear: a combination of education, monitoring, and effective penalties. It is crucial to intensify the arguments about the dangers of burning waste. And why not strive for environmental authorities, through multisectoral collaboration, to identify and penalize offenders.
Photo: Maylín Betancourt Verdecia
However, beyond identifying this problem, it is necessary to seek effective alternatives for waste management. Although each passing day makes it almost impossible to breathe fresh air. Also the current situation can still be transformed. To do so, we must overcome apathy and involve communities in ecological initiatives.
Photo: Maylín Betancourt Verdecia
Holguin has the potential to regain its status as a clean and healthy city. The key lies in acting with determination and commitment. If we stop throwing away our daily waste indiscriminately and instead take it to the proper disposal sites, we can eradicate waste burning and give our city back the clean air it deserves.
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