Record Trash Haul from Panama River Highlights Pollution Crisis

Panama's Juan Diaz River Cleanup Sets Record: Tons of Trash Collected. Panama City, Panama – In a recent cleanup effort, the Juan Diaz River in Panama City saw a record amount of trash collected. The mechanical waste removal system, known as Wanda, gathered an unprecedented amount of waste in May 2025, surpassing the previous record set in May 2024 by 40%. Laura Gonzalez, from the Fundacion Marea Verde, stated, "In May alone, we removed 25 containers full of waste, plus an additional 6,000 pounds of plastic." The video footage shows the sheer volume of waste removed. The success of the cleanup highlights both the scale of the pollution problem and the dedication of the cleanup crew. Ms. Gonzalez emphasized the need for improved public awareness and responsible waste disposal to prevent such large-scale pollution in the future. Fundacion Marea Verde is working to install barriers in seven rivers that flow into Panama Bay to help mitigate future pollution.