Raymond Martinez states that there is an imbalance between the amount of waste generated and the capacity to manage it properly
SANTO DOMINGO. – The accumulation of solid waste has become a determining factor in the deterioration of urban environments in the Dominican Republic.
During his participation in the podcast La Ventana delel Inmobiliario, the sanitary and environmental engineer Raymond Martínez warned that the country is going through a critical moment in the management of solid waste, pointing out that the problem directly affects the functioning of cities.
“The Dominican Republic is currently experiencing its worst moment in terms of solid waste,” stated the civil engineer, referring to the current management of garbage in the country.
Martínez is a distinguished professional with extensive experience in sanitary and environmental engineering, trained at several international universities, including those in Russia, Spain, Japan, and Colombia. He is a civil engineer, holds an MSc in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, and is the CEO of SIHISA, a company that designs and builds sanitary solutions.
Martínez also suggested that, from his perspective, there is an imbalance between the amount of waste generated and the capacity to manage it properly. “I think that right now the Dominican Republic is the dirtiest country in terms of waste generation, production, and disposal,” he stated.
Uncontrolled waste management
The specialist's analysis points to a lack of control in waste disposal, both at the citizen and institutional levels. In his assessment, social behavior directly impacts the magnitude of the problem.
“Dominicans are out of control when it comes to garbage,” he said, describing a scenario in which waste is placed in public spaces without proper management.
This practice has immediate effects on the urban environment. Waste left on streets and avenues ends up being washed away by rainwater, accumulating in key areas of the city and affecting essential infrastructure, he explains.
Impact on urban drainage
One of the most visible effects of this situation occurs during rain events. Martínez explained that the accumulation of trash limits the functioning of the systems designed to channel water.
“When a rain event comes, you may have storm drainage systems, but they are completely full of trash,” he noted.
This creates blockages that impede the proper flow of water, causing flooding in various parts of the city. In this regard, the specialist clarified that the problem is not solely related to the capacity of the systems, but also to their current condition.
“The roads, the systems, everything is collapsing,” he stated. He added that “the existing systems aren’t collapsing due to a lack of capacity; they’re collapsing due to garbage.”.
Institutional responsibility and local management
The specialist also discussed the role of the institutions responsible for urban infrastructure. He explained that in the country there is a division of functions between the entities that build drainage systems and those responsible for their maintenance.
“The Ministry of Public Works is responsible for building the stormwater drainage system, because it is a large-scale public works project, but the municipalities are responsible for managing it,” he explained.
In the case of the National District, he pointed out that the accumulation of waste and the lack of cleaning of the collectors demonstrate weaknesses in municipal management.
“The mayor’s office knows it has to clean them but doesn’t collect the garbage properly, and it knows the sewers are clogged, so it doesn’t go out to clean them either,” he said.
Existing infrastructure without maintenance
Another point raised by Martínez is the underutilization of existing infrastructure. He explained that there are sewer lines that could operate efficiently if they received proper maintenance.
“There are sewers, and they don’t even know they’re there, and they’re full of garbage, and they say we have to build,” he stated.
In that sense, he suggested that some of the solutions do not necessarily involve new construction, but rather interventions focused on cleaning and rehabilitating existing systems.
“It’s as simple as cleaning it,” he said.
Lack of information and control of the system
Martínez also warned about the lack of updated records that would allow knowing the quantity and location of drainage systems.
“They don’t have a record of how many storm drain collectors the National District currently has,” he explained.
This lack of information hinders planning and limits the ability to respond to critical situations, as there is no accurate data on the available infrastructure.
The need for an educational campaign
Beyond technical solutions, Martínez stressed the importance of promoting a change in citizen behavior as an essential part of addressing the problem.
“The first thing we need to do is a large, accurate and effective solid waste campaign,” he stated.
He believes that these types of initiatives should focus on raising awareness about proper waste disposal and its effects on the urban environment. In his view, without a sustained educational process, structural interventions will not be enough to resolve the situation.
A problem that impacts the entire city
The specialist raises the need to address the issue in a comprehensive manner, combining citizen actions, institutional management and continuous maintenance, with the aim of reducing the levels of impact that the country currently faces.
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