Improvised landfills dominate the sidewalks of Santo Domingo Norte, turning key roads into hotspots for pollution and danger. In sectors like Sabana Perdida, mountains of waste obstruct pedestrian and vehicular traffic, worsening a crisis that affects public health.
Crisis on main avenues
Los Restauradores Avenue: epicenter of disorder
On Los Restauradores Avenue, improvised landfills have grown in recent days, forcing pedestrians to walk on the pavement amidst heavy traffic. Residents like Juan Carmona, a local business owner, point to neglect by the city council, while also admitting to uncivil habits: “When they collect the garbage, shortly after people throw it away again.”
Other affected areas
Carretera Vieja and Hermanas Mirabal Avenue show similar accumulations of bags, pruning debris, and rubble. These improvised landfills emit foul odors and attract pests, increasing the risk of disease. Pedestrians walk along streets exposed to accidents in a municipality with high vehicular density.
Lack of containers and citizen demands
Socio-environmental situation has worsened due to the removal of public trash cans. A local merchant explained: “Before we knew where to dispose of it, now people throw it on any corner.” Although collection trucks operate, they are not enough without adequate infrastructure. Waste management experts point out that Santo Domingo Norte generates about 200 tons of garbage daily, according to data from the Ministry of Environment from previous years, with irregular collection since 2023 due to budget failures.
- Lack of containers accelerates the formation of improvised landfills.
- Health risks under Law 120-99, which prohibits dumping waste in public spaces.
- Historically, the city council has faced similar complaints since the pandemic, with unfulfilled promises of modernization.
Law 120-99 seeks urban hygiene, but its enforcement fails in the face of municipal deficiencies. Local authorities have not responded to demands, despite inspections confirming the chaos in Sabana Perdida and surrounding areas.
Improvised landfills not only damage the image of Santo Domingo Norte, but also compromise daily safety. Residents urge explanations regarding collection logistics and the return of containers to stop this uncontrollable proliferation.