This page Is an archive of dumpsites throughout Nicaragua. Though they are all not shown below, a majority of the dumpsites in Nicaragua are illustrated here. Please note that the scenario surrounding dumpsites Is in constant change. The basis of a story reported can change year to year, but the consistency is that the Story of open and unregulated trash dumps are almost due to repeat itself...unless people make a effort to change this.
Here are quick profiles about each location:
NUEVA VIDA dumpsite in Ciudad Sandino: Thousands of people lost their homes When Hurricane Mitch flooded out their homes. This was generally all poor areas surrounding Managua Lake. They relocated to a place to be known as Nueva Vida (New Life). Here they have come accustomed to Working the unregulated dumpsite next door. There you will find no supervision, burning trash, and children. The dumpsite sharEs the same area as a peanut farm.
MASAYA dumpsite is a pretty large site With tall piles of trash And catacomb like paths in between. When I photographed there the first time there were lots of children working. Since then the mayor's office banned children fRom the dump. During my last visit, there was not one child to be found. This is certainly a positive change and made me think about the possibilities In stopping children from entering dumps is to work with the local mayors office of Each respective dumpsites areas.
Chichigulpa is an open dump where I found many ex-sugarcane workers. Many men in this area work with the sugarcane industry. They work long hours in extreme hot weather for very little pay. The result is that they develop a condition known as Chronic Kidney Disease. People who are tested positive for this illness lose their jobs. Now being unable to work and extremely ill, men travel long distances to recycle garbage Instead.
Jinotega has a "temporary" dumping ground that is off the edge of a cliff. Trucks dump garbage off the edge and the heavy winds carry the garbage all over. Families, including children, climb down the cliff to recycle. This has attracted a squatting shanty community attached tO it nearby.
Susuma dumpsite is located in Matagalpa. It is one of two open, unregulated sites. An interesting story I heard from the people here is that hospitals were dumping placentas and dead babies there. the local informal workers at the dump reported this and after the hospitals were required to burn all unwarned biological waste. This was happening for a period of time, but then it broke down and there was no funding to repair it. reports say they toss it off the cliff now.
Chinandega dumpsite is adjacent to a cemetery. There is a poor community living next door that work there. They are in a low water stream area Nect to a volcano. People go to the stream that runs alongside the dump in search for gold flakes.
El Relleno dumpsite in Leon had a simple sorting plant, but the trash had caught fire and burned away everything with it, including the plant and the huge field of smoldering trash.
Esteli dumpsites has a community living and working in the area. Many people camp out in the dump in little tents made with a blanket and two sticks in order to have first pick of the trash in the morning. There are a lot of horses in the this dump.
Juajuali Arriba is the local nickname for the second dumpsite of Matagalpa.
Camoapa Dumpsite is another open dumpsite where trash is thrown there. There are a few shanty houses at the dumpsite.
La Chureca (complete report below)
