Playlist
Read here the Analysis and Recommendations Report for Integrated Resource and Waste Management
Visit below the final report developed by CAMBIOPR for the San Juan Bay Estuary Program on the concrete actions to “improve habitat quality and increase the aesthetic, recreational and economic values of the [SBSJ] by ensuring that the basin is free of aquatic debris” (CAMBIOPR, 2022)
Vegetable oil diversion initiative
Oils and fats (FOGs) refer to fats, oils, and greases of animal or vegetable origin generated during food preparation in residential and commercial kitchens. These impact sewer systems—both sanitary and storm—which are the gray infrastructure that manages and transports water to its final destination (wastewater treatment plants and bodies of water). Once oils and fats enter sewer systems, they solidify, reducing their carrying capacity and blocking the flow of water. These blockages, in turn, cause overflows, threaten water quality and public health, and increase operational costs for repairing, replacing, and cleaning the lines. Furthermore, they cause corrosion, unpleasant odors, and attract disease vectors to communities.
Since 2019, the Estuary has supported oil diversion initiatives throughout the watershed. This initiative provides the tools for the responsible disposal of used cooking oil. Currently, communities such as Taller Comunidad La Goyco, the Puente Blanco Community Center, the Caimito Cultural Center, Rio Piedras Heights, and Robinson School have successfully diverted more than 900 gallons of vegetable oil. We have also supported municipal oil diversion programs in the municipalities of Trujillo Alto and Loíza.
With the aim of preserving water quality, preventing inappropriate discharges and reducing blockages in the grey infrastructure, we seek to:
- Educate and raise awareness about the importance of diverting used oil
- Promote community participation
- Facilitate the collection of used cooking oils
Supporting documents
Steps to properly dispose of your used vegetable oil.
Intermunicipal Network for Integrated Resource and Waste Management
Since April 2023, the Estuary has facilitated the Intermunicipal Network for Integrated Resource and Waste Management of the Estuary Basin. This network aims to strengthen the commitment of the municipalities within the basin to efforts directed toward ensuring a basin free of aquatic debris. It also seeks to develop a strategic and official alliance to implement joint actions aimed at developing a Comprehensive Waste and Resource Management Plan for the basin. To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding was developed, identifying the following four (4) areas of collaboration:
- Promote structured collaboration between municipalities through the creation of an inter-municipal network. This collaboration will facilitate the equalization of resources, equipment, and waste management services, offering support to those municipalities facing challenges.
specific limitations. - To contribute to the development of an intermunicipal action plan for the integrated management of waste in the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed.
- Collaborate in the creation and adoption of an integrated information system that collects and stores data on waste management in municipalities as part of the duties of assigned personnel.
- Participate in an annual meeting to learn about the progress of intermunicipal management and explore new opportunities for the coming year.
Since its inception, a total of ten (10) meetings of the Intermunicipal Network have been held:
Meeting dates
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023
- Wednesday, June 14, 2023
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023
- Wednesday, April 3, 2024
- Wednesday, August 21, 2024
- Tuesday, 24th September 2024
- Tuesday, December 10, 2024
- Tuesday, 23th September 2025
Folder of the minutes of the meetings of the Intermunicipal Network
Supporting documents
- Requirements for the development of a Municipal Recycling Plan
- Functional models with proven success in integrated waste management efforts in other jurisdictions that are replicable for the San Juan Bay estuary basin.
- Products, tools and services for capacity building for the Intermunicipal Network for Integrated Resource and Waste Management of the basin
Educational campaigns on waste management
Public Policy Library
The Public Policy Library brings together the legal and regulatory framework related to natural resource conservation and solid waste management. Its objective is to facilitate access to and consultation of laws, regulations, plans, projects, and other legal instruments that promote environmental protection. We invite you to explore and use this tool to support conservation and sustainable management efforts in the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed.
Law 51-2022—Law for the prohibition of single-use plastics
The information workshop, Learn about Law 51-2022—Law for the prohibition of single-use plastics; It was held virtually on Monday, July 17, 2023. Below is the video of the workshop.
Actions we can take as responsible citizens
- Reduce excessive consumption of materials
- Replace your tableware and utensils with reusable, compostable, and biodegradable options
- Encourage the use of reusable bottles, bags, cutlery, and other materials.
- Separate the materials that can be recycled (paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum, textiles, etc.)
- Divert organic materials and create your own compost
- Start your garden and use the compost you create
- Recycle, donate and divert textiles (clothing, towels, sheets, etc.)
- Dispose of used vegetable oil properly.
- It cleans and prevents any contaminants from reaching the sewer system (stormwater and sanitary sewer).
- Locate collection centers and request services from the municipality
- Use public transportation or alternative means of transportation
Visit the Map of Collection and Material Handling Centers in the Estuary Basin!
This map shows the collection and handling centers for materials in the municipalities of the metropolitan area. Each point identifies a facility and the materials it accepts (such as batteries, textiles, plastics, metals, and more). The legend allows you to filter by category, and clicking on each location displays a popup with relevant information and a direct link to get directions on Google Maps.
