With the aim of reducing plastic pollution through circular economy models, together with Colombia and Jamaica, Panama, through the Ministry of the Environment (MiAmbiente), promotes the GEFLAC-CITIES project, which consists of the implementation of global good practices to eliminate pollution. for plastics in Latin America.
MiAMBIENTE has regulations related to the reduction of single-use plastics and is working to strengthen the work plan to apply this knowledge at the national level. Currently, in collaboration with the municipalities of Panama, Colón and San Miguelito, concrete actions are being mapped to begin the implementation of the project.
Another goal is that, by early 2025, it is planned to launch a roadmap for the circular economy of plastic, working collaboratively with key actors in the region. This effort seeks to ensure that sustainable practices are integrated into national regulations, with financial support and models adapted to the Panamanian reality.
Kirving Lañas, coordinator of the MiAMBIENTE Cleaner Production project, indicated that “this regional project promoted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) will facilitate the exchange of experiences with other countries in the region, allowing Panama to evaluate the possibility of adopting successful models.”
“It is very important to generate public policies and regulations that reinforce the fight against plastic pollution, such as Law 187, which regulates single-use plastic products,” Lañas reiterated.