Wanda: the garbage-eating machine that contaminates Panama's waters

In a forested area, in Santa Maria, on the outskirts of Panama City, you can hear the sound of the huge water wheel collecting plastic bottles taken from the Juan Díaz River.

Environmental groups estimate that 30% of the garbage generated in the capital is not collected and that approximately 100 thousand tons of waste are thrown into the sea every year in the country.

“Wanda’s main objective is to demonstrate that, with technology, we can try to mitigate plastic pollution in rivers,” Mirei Endara, former Minister of the Environment and president of the Marea Verde association, promoter of the project, told AFP.

Just a palliative

On the Juan Díaz River, an artificial barrier stops the objects, which are carried by the current to Wanda, also known as Wanda Díaz. There, the recyclable material is manually separated and placed on the conveyor belt. Using hydraulic energy, objects are thrown into a container for recycling.

The installation also has solar panels, as the current strength is not enough to move Wanda. A camera system obtains, through Artificial Intelligence, information about the waste already classified.

“Anything can go through the conveyor belt. Sofas, refrigerators… The conveyor is slow, but very strong”, said Rob Getman, responsible for the operation and maintenance of the machine, in conversation with AFP.

Although there are eight other similar facilities in different parts of the world, mainly in Baltimore, in the United States, the one in Panama is the most modern and the only one in Latin America, according to Marea Verde.

“We know that it is not a definitive answer, but it is a palliative measure, while we look for more concrete solutions”, explained Endara.

Wanda the Panama Bay Rescue

The Juan Díaz River is one of the most polluted in the Panamanian capital, despite being part of the Ramsar Convention on the protection of wetlands in Panama Bay.

The area has vegetation almost impenetrable to sunlight and abundant food, as well as being a vital resting point for birds on their migratory route. But pollution and urban growth threaten the mangrove, where up to two million specimens pass through each year.

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Garbage crisis

Panama City and its surroundings face a garbage collection crisis, in a country where the lack of recycling is evident.

Often, it is NGOs and associations that organize campaigns to clean beaches.

“There are many health problems associated with the trash we take from rivers. We have a pending problem, and Wanda will help create more awareness in Panama”, acknowledged the Panamanian Minister of the Environment, Melciades Concepción.

(With AFP)