The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has launched a pilot program, “Cleaning up my village, my town, my city”, involving 100,000 students in 10 of Guatemala's 22 departments. The three-week project, lasting through the end of the month and with the participation of 500 primary and secondary schools, “aims to reduce air, water and ground pollution arising from poor management of solid waste,” ministry spokesman Sergio del Aguila told Tierramérica.

“In Guatemala there is practically no garbage treatment, and just four percent of waste water is treated,” said Del Aguila.

There will be prizes for the three villages, three towns and three cities that show most improvement.