Belen

This photo was captured in the summer of 2019, near the banks of the Amazon River in Belen, Peru.

What you're witnessing is the literal aftermath of the community's waste as the floodwaters recede for the season. Annually, this area, along with many others, experiences extensive flooding for months due to the Amazon River rising over 20 feet. That's why these homes are built on stilts, and some are even constructed on floating platforms to adapt to the rising and falling tides.