Startling figures have emerged regarding industrial waste management in Argentina: out of the approximately 11.2 million tons of hazardous and industrial waste generated annually, only 10 percent receives adequate treatment. The remaining 10 million tons end up in illegal dumps, rivers, or uncontrolled landfills. According to a joint report by the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and professional chambers, this situation not only threatens an ecological catastrophe but also causes severe economic distortions in the South American nation.
The data, released by the “Third Environmental Observatory of Industrial and Special Waste” (Tercer Observatorio Ambiental de Residuos Industriales y Especiales), highlights a systemic failure in Argentine environmental regulation and oversight. The report was produced through a collaboration between the Chamber of Industrial and Special Waste Treaters and Transporters (CATRIES), the Chamber of Environmental Treatment Industries (CAITPA), the Faculty of Economic Sciences at UBA, and the National University of Rosario (UNR).
Shocking Numbers: 10 Million Tons of Untreated Danger
Statistics indicate that Argentina generates roughly 11,250,000 tons of industrial waste per year. Of this massive volume, a mere 1,125,000 tons (10%) reach licensed treatment plants for proper disposal or recycling.
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The Missing Millions: The fate of the remaining 10,125,000 tons is either unknown or confirmed to be irregular. This waste is discharged directly into nature, illegal dumps, or municipal landfills unequipped to handle hazardous chemicals.
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Public Health Risk: The report emphasizes that this process poisons soil and groundwater, posing a direct threat to the health of the population, particularly around major urban centers.
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Fire & Contamination: Beyond chemical leaching, these sites contribute to environmental degradation through frequent uncontrolled fires.
“Unfair Competition” and Economic Distortion
The report points to a critical economic aspect: the lack of waste treatment is a market problem as much as an environmental one. Companies that comply with the law and pay for professional disposal find themselves at a significant disadvantage compared to those who dispose of pollutants illegally.
The Cost Gap: Because legal treatment requires high-end technology and strict compliance, its costs are higher. Weak state enforcement encourages many companies to choose the illegal route, which in turn reduces the capacity utilization of legal treatment plants. Currently, a significant portion of Argentina’s waste treatment infrastructure sits idle while the country drowns in refuse.
Outdated Laws and Symbolic Fines
According to CATRIES and CAITPA, the root of the problem lies in the obsolescence of Law 24.051 regarding hazardous waste. The legislation is over 30 years old, and its penalties have been rendered meaningless by inflation.
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Fine Amounts: The maximum fine currently does not exceed 500,000 Argentine pesos, which is a symbolic amount for a large corporation at current exchange rates.
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Lack of Deterrence: For many firms, it is cheaper to pay a potential fine than to invest in sustainable waste management.
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The Demand: Chambers are urging a legislative update that includes automatic indexation of fines and more effective official inspections.
Most Polluted Regions: Buenos Aires and the Central Zone
The hotspots for waste production and irregularities are located in the country’s industrial hubs. The report specifically highlights Buenos Aires Province, as well as the Córdoba and Santa Fe regions.
| Region | Primary Concern |
| Buenos Aires | High concentration of industrial output; critical state of the Matanza-Riachuelo River. |
| Córdoba & Santa Fe | Industrial discharge into local waterways and lack of inter-provincial data integration. |
The research found that while digital technology exists to track waste shipments, the lack of data integration between provinces allows many “grey zone” shipments to vanish from the authorities’ sight.
Conclusion: A Systemic Shift is Required
The presidents of CATRIES and CAITPA stated that Argentina’s failures are political and regulatory, not technological. Modern treatment plants are available, but as long as illegal dumping remains cheaper and unpunished, the 10% treatment rate will not budge. The goal for the post-2026 period is to double the proportion of treated waste, but this requires immediate intervention from the legislature and oversight bodies.
Official Sources and References:
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Original News Source: Economía Sustentable – Solo el 10% de los residuos industriales se trata de forma adecuada en Argentina
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Professional Chamber Report: Informe Observatorio de Residuos Peligrosos UBA-UNR
