A third of all waste generated in cities of Latin America and the Caribbean ends up in open dumps or in the environment, polluting soil, water and air, and threatening the health of the population, according to a UN Environment report. 145,000 tons are inadequately disposed every day in the region, equivalent to the waste generated by 27% of the regional population or 170 million people, according to the Waste Management Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, launched during the XXI Forum of Ministers of Environment of the region, taking place in Buenos Aires, 9-12 October.UN Environment urges countries to progressively close dumpsites, which expose the surrounding communities and those who work collecting materials to severe health risks. The report stresses that these dumpsites generate greenhouse gases that can inflict serious damage to tourism, agriculture and biodiversity.