Fines of up to $900,000 for rummaging through garbage in Buenos Aires

[Lucia]

So apparently the Buenos Aires city government is going to start fining people up to $900,000 for going through the trash. They say the measure will start being enforced soon. What do you think, is this a good idea? Will it actually work, or is it just another “sounds good on paper” kind of rule?

As a foreigner here, I’m kind of torn. On one hand, I get that they want to keep the city clean and avoid mess on the sidewalks. On the other hand… I’ve seen people rummaging because they genuinely need food or recyclables to sell. A fine like that just seems impossible for them to pay.

Curious to hear your thoughts, do you think this will help, or just make things harder for some people?

The government of Buenos Aires will impose fines of up to $900,000 for rummaging through the garbage: when will they start being enforced? - Noticias Ambientales

While aiming to improve urban cleanliness and maintain public spaces in the City, the Buenos Aires government announced a measure that also sparked

noticiasambientales.com

 

[jbeas176]

o am not on milei’s side on this one. they abide by the rules. they don’t litter the street in front of the the container. i remember the days of black bags on the corner. they went through them wothout leaving a mess. thats the rule. if thats how they make a living, leave them alone.

 

[jbeas176]

and really… they rummage trash for a living. were are they going to get 900.000

 

[Uncle Wong]

o am not on milei’s side on this one. they abide by the rules. they don’t litter the street in front of the the container. i remember the days of black bags on the corner. they went through them wothout leaving a mess. thats the rule. if thats how they make a living, leave them alone.

My friends told me that before there were no containers on the street and people tore open the bags and it was a mess. This seems like it is not hurting anyone. I always see the poor going through and recycling trash but I don't see they make a mess. This sounds like overkill.

 

[jbeas176]

wong i politely disagree. i lived it. they opend each bad went through it and put it back like found it. i just made sure none of my credit card info was on the receipts

 

[jbeas176]

it was the system that was unsightly. black bags piled on top of each other on the corners

 

[earlyretirement]

it was the system that was unsightly. black bags piled on top of each other on the corners

Yes, it was a mess. Sometimes dogs would go through the bags. The people were typically neat and would tie bags back up but definitely there was more trash in the street back then in the early 2000's when I moved here. I love this system with dumpsters on each street much better and fining the people is just ridiculous.

 

[Larry]

This government is out of touch with the common man and woman.

 

[TonyTigre]

“I have instructed the Ministry of Security and the City Police that if they find any person or group of people rummaging through the containers and dirtying our city, they should demand immediate cleaning and ordering of everything. ***IF THEY REFUSE***, they should be sanctioned according to current regulations,” said the Head of Government.

Sounds very reasonable to me. Make sure you read the second sentence quoted above. Refusing to clean up a mess you make should have consequences that ensure you comply or pay for someone else to clean it up.

 

[Ron]

Totally agree. Check the trash if you need to, but at least leave things the way they were. It’s not crazy to ask that, if you make a mess, you should clean it up or face a fine. Seems fair to me

 

[FuturoBA]

“I have instructed the Ministry of Security and the City Police that if they find any person or group of people rummaging through the containers and dirtying our city, they should demand immediate cleaning and ordering of everything. ***IF THEY REFUSE***, they should be sanctioned according to current regulations,” said the Head of Government.

Sounds very reasonable to me. Make sure you read the second sentence quoted above. Refusing to clean up a mess you make should have consequences that ensure you comply or pay for someone else to clean it up.

Thanks for pointing this part out. I'm just as guilty reading the headline and jumping to conclusions, but if those who rummage refuse to clean up should rightfully pay the consequences.

 

[Johnny]

Thanks for pointing this part out. I'm just as guilty reading the headline and jumping to conclusions, but if those who rummage refuse to clean up should rightfully pay the consequences.

This sounds very reasonable.