Panama City, the capital and largest city of Panama, had a population of 1,183,333 in 2019 and a population density of 4,303 people per square kilometer. Located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, within the province of Panama, the city serves as the country’s political and administrative center, and is a key hub for banking and commerce. Panama does not produce virgin plastic on a large scale but instead focuses on plastic transformation industries.
The country imports around 154,000 tonnes of plastic annually—primarily PVC and PS—while exports are minimal, averaging about 1,344 tonnes of PS. In 2019, total national plastic consumption reached 151,971 tonnes, with Panama City alone accounting for 41,416 tonnes.
In recent years, growing concern over waste generation and marine plastic pollution has mobilized a wide range of stakeholders—including citizens, government bodies, NGOs, companies, and academic institutions—to participate in environmental activities.
These efforts include:
- Annual beach, river, and mangrove cleanups.
- Educational campaigns.
- Source-segregated recycling initiatives.
Since 2001, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE (ANCON), in collaboration with the FOUNDATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE SEA (PROMAR), has led the nationwide “Cleaning of Beaches, Coasts and Rivers” initiative, promoting environmental stewardship and public engagement.
