Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Each person in Lima generates an average of almost 21 kilograms (46 pounds) of garbage per month, revealed a technical environmental study done by the National Statistics Institute (INEI).

"In the month analyzed, the total solid waste from 40 districts that was taken to landfills reached 158,566 tons," said the study.

According to the country's statistics institute, Lima has a population of 7.6 million - leading to the conclusion that each resident generates approximately 21 kilograms of garbage per month, reported Andina news agency.

Furthermore, statistics showed that when 2008 figures were compared to 2007, a 7.1 percent increase was registered in the generation of garbage per month.

When analyzing which districts produced the largest amount of waste, Cercado de Lima was at the top of the list with 14,690 tons.

The top five districts also included San Juan de Lurigancho (14,017 tons), Comas (11,681 tons), Ate (11,193 tons) and San Martín de Porres (11,051 tons).

Other districts that generated large quantities of garbage are Santiago de Surco (7,588 tons), La Victoria (7,501 tons) and Los Olivos (6,276 tons).