Panama's Plastic Pollution Crisis: A Call for Collective Action

Panama Grapples with Plastic Pollution Crisis on World Environment Day Panama City, Panama – June 6, 2025 – On World Environment Day, TVN Noticias highlighted the severe plastic pollution plaguing Panama’s rivers and waterways. The report, featuring interviews with environmental experts, underscored the urgent need for a coordinated cleanup effort and improved waste management systems. "The problem is a lack of love for our neighborhood, our children, and our country," stated Adrian Benedetti, Executive Director of ANCON, emphasizing the lack of societal responsibility. The video showed shocking footage of overflowing landfills and rivers choked with plastic waste, illustrating the scale of the problem. Giovanni Olmos, a lawyer and tax expert, added, "This is a serious problem because we must now connect the environmental damage with health damage to the population." He stressed the importance of strengthening public institutions and promoting environmental education to prevent further harm. A collaborative plan, backed by the World Economic Forum and the Ministry of the Environment, is underway to tackle plastic pollution. This initiative aims to unite public, private, and civic efforts towards a cleaner Panama, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the environmental challenges.