CUSCO, July 9 — Peru’s famous Machu Picchu archaeological site is a big draw for tourists.

But the United Nations says tourists bring trash — about 14 tonnes of it every day — and the site is struggling to deal with the growing mountain of waste.

At 2,400 metres above sea level, dealing with it all is no easy task.

Environment officials say each and every tourist leaves behind two to three kilos of plastic bottles, fruit peel and tins.

Efforts to set up a waste management plant have come to nothing because a suitable spot can’t be found.

UNESCO says the sheer number of tourists to Machu Picchu, about a million a year, could put the site at risk.

The trash they leave behind is adding to the problem. — Reuters