An enormous garbage dump less than two km from the Guatemalan capital's historic center could reach its breaking point within three years and cause serious damage, warns Mario Dary, minister of environment and natural resources. “Given the quantity of waste received daily and the lack of treatment,” the dump can only operate until 2007 at the latest, the minister told Tierramérica.

The dump takes in 500 tons of rubbish from the capital and nearby areas each day, covered by a thin layer of soil. The site began operating in the 1960s, and its future has been up for debate since the 1980s.

“We have to begin to tackle the problem and raise awareness about the need to charge residents for waste treatment,” said Dary.

A study by the Municipality of Guatemala City indicates that the dump could operate for another 15 years if at least 2.5 million dollars are invested in rehabilitating it.