424 000 tons of waste are generated daily in Latin America and the Caribbean, and less than 35% is processed into regulated sanitary landfills. Nearly two-thirds or 275 000 tons daily ends up in open-air dumps or local waterways. An estimated 57% of the debris is related to shoreline recreational activities, including tourism. During storms or coastal flooding the water can easily bring the waste from the open air dumps and rivers into the sea.
