The accumulation of garbage in the Andean region has become a persistent and dangerous problem in Mendoza. Specifically, it occurs on Route 7, between Uspallata and the Andean region.
This situation has raised concerns among tourism service providers in the area, who claim that it is damaging the “destination’s image” and causing discomfort to visitors, in addition to the environmental issues it entails.
## Bottles and “pathological waste,” operators’ complaint about neglect
Entrepreneur Roberto Stocker, in an interview with the newspaper El Sol, stated that the problem is recurrent and has been going on for years.
In this regard, he pointed out that the main contamination hotspots are bottles of truck drivers’ urine, which are abandoned on the side of the road, especially in areas like Puente del Inca.
The tourism service provider regretted that, despite repeated requests to the Municipality of Las Heras, they have not received a concrete solution for cleaning and waste management. The municipality, according to Stocker, justifies its inaction by arguing that it concerns “pathological waste.”
## Pollution and negative impact on the tourist experience
The waste on the road and at points of interest such as Cerro de los Siete Colores is tarnishing tourists’ experience. “There is no tourist who does not complain,” said Stocker, emphasizing that the lack of environmental maintenance affects Mendoza’s reputation as a tourist destination.
When asked by the local newspaper, the municipality stated that they carry out cleaning tasks regularly, including debris collection, and that the operations cover even areas that are not under their jurisdiction, such as those belonging to Customs or National Highways.
Despite this, tourism service providers argue that they are not looking for confrontation but to propose joint work. According to Stocker, they are willing to provide human and material resources if the municipality takes on the coordination of the operations.
“In case the municipality provides a truck and coordinates, we will handle the rest,” he concluded, highlighting that even the Gendarmerie and the Army have expressed their willingness to collaborate.
## Environmental risks
In addition to the dislike and disadvantages that the accumulation of waste generates for tourism, it is important to note that they can also be contamination hotspots.
Improperly managed garbage ends up generating leachate, a product of decomposing waste and water coming into contact with them, and the emission of greenhouse gases.
