Companies union committed to circular economy

“Red Reciclo” Red Reciclois born

• Thanks to the union of 14 companies committed to circular economy, Red RecicloRed Reciclo collective was created, which enables regulations compliance on Extended Producer Responsibility in Colombia.
• Twenty-nine projects associated with recycling, in four country regions, allowed 58,336 tons of usable material (plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, metal) to be managed in 2020.
• More than 4,000 waste pickerswaste pickers linked to the projects have benefited as key players in the value chain of the economy.
• CEMPRE, an entity with more than 12 years of experience in the articulation of circular economy actions, is in charge of managing Red RecicloRed Reciclo.

As part of its commitment to the management of circular economy, 14 large companies created Red RecicloRed Reciclo, a collective plan for the environmental management of containerss and packaging, which articulates projects and programs with emphasis on recycling, in order to comply with the regulations associated with the Extended Producer Responsibility in Colombia.

Thus, Bavaria, Burger King, Carvajal Empaques, Coca-Cola FEMSA, ENKA, Esenttia, Nestlé Colombia, Novalene, Peldar, Plastilene, Postobón, Propal, Romay and Tetra Pak, companies that are part of this initiative, have been able to certify the management of 58,336 tons of post-consumer waste of various materials, a figure derived from the different programs and projects that work in more than 40 municipalities located in four regions of the country.

Red Reciclo, which was born in 2020 initially as a management pilot, is administered by CEMPRE (Compromiso Empresarial por el Reciclaje, Corporate Commitment to Recycling), an entity with more than 12 years of experience in articulation and dynamization of Circular Economy actions in the country.

Under their administration and management, the companies belonging to the Network will be able to comply with resolutions 1407 of 2018 and 1342 of 2020 of the National Government, which guide the management of packaging and containers under a framework for the use of materials through circular economy models that contribute to sustainable cities development.

“Red Reciclo consolidates a circular economy model where all the actors of the productive chain are participants while involving the consumer, making them responsible for their role in the process. With 29 projects involving more than 4,000 waste pickerswaste pickers, we invite each actor in the chain to embrace their responsibility in the common goal of increasing the rate of material recovery in the country,” said Laura Reyes, Executive Director of CEMPRE.

For their part, spokespersons for the companies that are part of the Network assured that “the path of recycling management is the right one and of great value for the country, since joining efforts in groups such as Red Reciclo, where producers and processors work together, generates a great benefit for sustainable development of the country”.

“Today we have tangible and replicable examples of circularity that respond to public policy and go beyond the legal minimums. By strengthening circular economy, we generate a change that will bring benefits for society and environment,” emphasized Laura Reyes, director of CEMPRE.

Finally, the companies that are part of the Network ratify their commitment to work to raise awareness and educate consumers, so that they are a key part of the recycling process.

“If consumers do not properly separate the waste they generate, it is very difficult to energize the post-consumer chain. Companies are committed to management, so we need people participation so that materials reach the waste pickers and then the transformers and thus give them a new use, promoting a  true circular economy,” concluded Reyes.

RED RECICLO is Circular Economy in Colombia!