La Paz removes nearly 2,500 tons of garbage in a week with 24 trucks on 144 routes

The La Paz Public Works Directorate removed nearly 2,500 tons of waste between Aug. 24 and 30, using an average of 24 collection trucks a day across 144 routes spread over three city sectors. The figure reflects how much garbage the state capital produces in a single week.

Of that total, more than 2,400 tons were household waste, 46 tons were pulled from containers in housing complexes and 26.58 tons were hauled on flatbed trucks. The housing complexes served include Pedregal del Cortés, Valle del Mezquite, Banobras, Solidaridad and Misioneros.

The head of the Collection Department, Elizabeth Núñez Castro, said the service was sustained with an average of 24 trucks a day to cover the 144 routes across the three sectors. During the week, 240 citizen reports were received through the municipal app, all of them addressed.

Residents can report a missed pickup through the La Paz App, using the "Garbage truck did not pass" option, which sends the complaint straight to the relevant crew. It is the fastest way to follow up on a skipped route without going to the offices.

Keeping trash inside the home until the truck is heard, not leaving bags on the street the night before, and separating waste all help keep urban wildlife from scattering it and make the service more efficient. During the rainy season, piled-up garbage also clogs drains and storm sewers, worsening flooding.