On May 20, the Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.), together with Ecotech and in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Transportation, and Labor, alongside the Ministry of General Affairs, Culture, Environment, and Nature, officially signed the agreement for the first Waste Zone (Zona di Desperdicio) in Barcadera. With the signing of this agreement, the partners confirmed their commitment to creating a more organized, accessible, and sustainable system where residents can responsibly deposit waste and actively contribute to a cleaner Aruba.
The initiative is funded by A.T.A., thereby continuing to ensure that revenue generated by tourism is directly invested into projects that benefit both the community, the environment, and our tourism industry.
Aruba Limpi: From Awareness to Real Action
As part of the Aruba Limpi (Clean Aruba) campaign, A.T.A. is not only creating awareness about keeping Aruba clean but is also focusing on behavioral change. This campaign will run parallel to the introduction of the Waste Zone, raising awareness while also providing information to our community regarding the correct use of the facility, the importance of proper waste separation, and the formation of responsible habits in waste management.
With the introduction of the Waste Zone in Barcadera, residents will have direct and practical access to responsibly deposit waste. This initiative contributes to the reduction of illegal dumping and waste accumulation, while strengthening a sense of shared responsibility within our communities. For A.T.A., a clean environment is not only crucial for our image as a destination, but it is a direct investment in the sustainability of our tourism product and the well-being of our community. With this, Aruba takes a next concrete step toward ensuring a lasting future for our island.
A.T.A.’s Continuous Commitment to Keeping Aruba Clean
Aruba is recognized for being clean, and a clean island says a lot about its community. Despite this, A.T.A. and all involved partners are aware that more action is necessary. Over the years, A.T.A. has continued to focus on the topic of cleanliness, implementing and supporting various initiatives. Around our beaches, A.T.A. has placed multi-compartment trash bins to facilitate waste separation, where the Metabolic Foundation is in charge of collection for recycling purposes.
Additionally, A.T.A. actively enhances beach cleaning through a collaboration with Varadero N.V., which provides mechanized cleaning using specialized equipment to remove waste such as glass, plastic, and other materials that can be left behind under the white sand and cannot always be efficiently removed using traditional methods. This initiative complements manual cleaning and contributes to the safety of visitors and the community alike, as well as to the protection of our environment. Over the years, A.T.A. has also conducted cleanups in various parts of our waters—for example, a cleanup was carried out at Palm Beach to reduce beach sludge/mud, in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
Other efforts focused on cleanliness include initiatives like “Baki den Bario” (Bins in the Neighborhood), which received support from A.T.A. in November and December of 2025. All of these actions reflect a lasting commitment to contributing to a clean environment, a healthier community, and more conscious visitors.
A.T.A. invites all residents to make use of the Waste Zone in Barcadera starting June 1, 2026. All relevant information regarding usage, service hours, and guidelines will be available on the official social media pages of Aruba Limpi.
