SANTO DOMINGO. – The Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores ) has expressed its firm rejection of the bill that modifies the General Law on the comprehensive management and co-processing of solid waste (Law 225-20) , recently approved in the Chamber of Deputies because, according to the entity, it completely ignores sargassum , despite its direct and massive impact on the tourism sector.
“Dominican tourism and the environment require a solid waste law that not only collects garbage , but also protects coastlines, promotes the circular economy, and fosters tourism competitiveness,” the organization stated, expressing “surprise at the inaction of Congress regarding the adverse effects of sargassum,” and lamenting that the bill does not declare it as solid waste, which, in its view, prevents its proper disposal.
As a result, says Asonahores, the law does not include mechanisms or incentives for its collection , valorization or disposal, even though hotels allocate millions of dollars to deal with the tons of this macroalgae that reach the country's coasts.
Asonahores offered its services to legislators to collaborate on drafting a balanced, sustainable law free of monopolistic practices, proposing a "technical, pluralistic, and open dialogue space that includes the tourism sector, municipalities, the environmental sector, and academia."
The sargassum seaweed of discord
In addition to explicitly including sargassum as solid waste in the text, Asonahores suggested to legislators the creation of a comprehensive national trust for the management and valorization of the macroalgae that accumulates in large quantities on the country's coasts and whose cleaning and final disposal costs tourism businesses between 30 and 70 million dollars each month .
Back in June, Asonahores had already proposed the creation of this trust to coordinate public, private and academic efforts to address the complete cycle of the macroalga, from its collection at sea and on land to its final disposal or valorization, specifically highlighting the lack of coordination and the barriers that arise when sargassum is not classified as special waste.
At the same time, Asonahores valued existing initiatives such as the Presidential Sargaz Roundtable or projects with the European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as the university network, but warns that integration and an adequate legal framework are still lacking.
The organization also calls for a review of the fee mechanisms so that they are based on actual waste generation and not gross revenue, as well as the elimination of restrictions that may favor monopolies and ensure competition.
The hotel industry suggests that municipal autonomy respected and protected
What does the project entail?
The bill amends Law 225-20 with several key changes that have provoked a reaction from the hotel industry (second debate in the Chamber of Deputies, pending in the Senate):
- It introduces special taxes levied on companies, calculated based on gross income and corporate size, without considering the actual amount of waste generated.
- It authorizes increased resources for local governments, through a fund and per capita contributions starting in 2026, for municipal waste collection and equipment.
- It establishes limits on multiple waste management companies and restricts new waste-to-energy infrastructure.
In summary
Monopoly and competition : The industry association warns that the law favors monopolistic practices, restricts waste management operators, and limits private waste-to-energy initiatives, which would weaken competition.
Impact on international certifications : They acknowledge that tourist resorts are certified under sustainability standards, and the reform jeopardizes these credentials by ignoring current waste-to-energy processes.
Tax distortions : They criticize the fact that the special contribution is based on gross income and not on actual waste generation, which is unfair to companies with high income but low waste generation, such as travel agencies.
Institutional lack of coordination: They point out that the proposal disrupts joint efforts between the public and private sectors, generating institutional chaos and affecting environmental governance.
Municipal autonomy: Asonahores warns that centralizing fees and resources undermines local autonomy, potentially compromising efficient waste management at the municipal level.
