It seems that the Buenos Aires government is making strides on quality of life and environmental issues. This process has picked up a lot of steam recently.
credit: gonzaaaa
New Recycling and ‘Zero Waste’ Law
In July, the city government announced a new garbage management plan which involves cartoneros (Página 12: es | en). This new plan will install rules for waste management companies, let cartoneros handle all recyclables, and establish a Zero Waste law to reduce the amount of trash that goes to landfills.
Fighting Visual Pollution
credit: alex-s
Two weeks ago, the Buenos Aires government announced a plan to fight visual pollution by eliminating 40,000 billboards in the city (La Nacion: es | en). This new law will divide the city into three zones: residential, commercial and the Republic Square. The amount and type of advertising allowed in each zone will be defined. The law also establishes regulations on lighting of such signs as well as colors. In addition, the law forbids the total covering of the side of a building, certain types of billboards and the installation of advertising on houses and buildings.
New Air and Noise Control Devices
credit: La Nacion
Last week, they announced a new initiative to monitor air and noise quality in the city (La Nacion: es | en). This included an initial installation of 42 new Intelligent Monitoring Towers which monitor the concentration of carbon monoxide, ozone, benzene and moisture among other environmental factors. These will be calibrated and then moved to various parts of the city by the end of the year, providing the government with a complete map of noise and air quality in the city. This could lead to the modification of some city bus routes.
You can visit Treehugger to read more about these stories:
- New Garbage Management Plans for Buenos Aires to Involve Cartoneros
- Buenos Aires to Remove 40 Thousand Billboards to Fight Visual Pollution
- New Air and Noise Control Devices Promise Better Life-Quality in Buenos Aires
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The “visual pollution” law sucks. Large billboards are a big part of BsAs’ charm. I will miss them.
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Svetlana, I wrote this piece. Can I help you with something?
we need help in wondering what the enviromental, economic, and technological advancements the argintine people have created and face. we are a committee creating a proposal to help fund resolving problems such as these… comittee
I lived in Buenos Aires for five months until this past november and traveled extensively through Argentina, and have to say, for a country that blessed environmentally and ecologically, it is an epic failure when it comes to environmental quality and eco-friendly living. Every street is packed with garbage, the smoke from the buses is outrageous, the sidewalks are covered in dog crap and the traffic is offensive.
Fortunately the culture makes up for that, as well as some gems such as Bariloche and Mendoza. GET IT TOGETHER ARGENTINA! Hay que limpiar las calles para que la gente pueda vivir en harmonia con el medio ambiente!
me too!!!! i lived there for 4 years since i was born then i cam to america i miss argentina
I'm going soon next month and I seriously can't wait! I have lived half of my life in Trinidad, in the Caribbean and half in the UK…so BsAs will not surprise me with its struggle to be green… The culture will certainly make up for everything else…. dog crap and all!
Welcome to BA!