International Programs

Rapid population growth in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador is quickly outstripping any community health planning infrastructure available. The waste management system (WMS) in the Galapagos is of particular importance for development in accordance with community growth and has not kept pace with the current population boom. In order to improve a system, current shortcomings and strengths both need to be understood. Using literature sources and personal observation, various data were collected and summarized to explain and compare the current waste management practices found in the insular islands of San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. I visited with local organizations and volunteered with several of them to observe recycling pilot projects and described solid waste dumping sites. The results showed a floundering WMS on both islands, although the Santa Cruz WMS was slightly more developed than the San Cristobal WMS. A high amount of recyclable materials are currently being thrown into the general dumping site. Further indiscriminate dumping is also occurring along roadsides and in alternative dumping sites. The development of a feasible recycling plan which can be sustainable within the insular community would greatly benefit ecological and aesthetic elements. It is also recommended that plastic bags be banned from the Galapagos. An important factor in the development of a sustainable WMS in the Galapagos Islands would be the implementation of environmental awareness education in the schools. This model would rely on children bringing home a message of sustainability not normally considered by the adult population.