Ecuador moves forward in its sustainable management of greenhouse plastics

Recycling plastics in the agricultural sector is a global challenge that requires innovative solutions and commitments. In Ecuador, this effort can be seen in the passing of the Ministerial Agreement No. 021 which outlines the requirements for the creation and enforcement of an Integral Waste Management Plan for Agricultural Plastic Waste. This law classifies greenhouse plastic as special waste, and makes the producers of this material responsible for its end of life, pointing out that only authorized waste managers can do this job.

Today, authorized waste managers, who have all the required permits and above else the willingness to support a responsible end of life of this material have been making strategic alliances with the manufacturers of the material. These managers are responsible for the collection, transportation, storage, and processing of this plastic and operate in the Cayambe, Tabacundo, Pifo, Latacunga and Ambato regions. The main objective of these partnerships is to avoid greenhouse plastic from ending in landfills or informally managed, ensuring its traceability and responsible end of life.

Producers are constantly reaching out to new farms to ensure their plastic gets handed to authorized managers, as well as to broaden reach to key provinces such as Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Imbabura, Tungurahua and Carchi.

The best part of this model to close the loop is the positive social impact it has. A circular economy and the responsible end of life of plastics would not be possible without waste managers. Some of them like Reciclaje Sampedro, Emilio Sánchez, Cuastumal, Romero and Agrouniversal, have improved their collection capabilities and benefitted from improvements to their infrastructure, technology, and PPE. This has guaranteed that they can operate in a safe, efficient, and formal way, this with the goal of meeting national collection and recycling targets.

Postconsumer material is adequately managed and transformed into new materials, such as watering hoses, coverings in electrical cables, and flooring. This proves that a sustainable future is possible when a commitment to the environment and innovation go hand in hand.

Some of the recycled plastic is exported to Peru, allowing the impact of this circular economy to go past Ecuadorian borders.

All this effort contributes to environmental sustainability, pollution reduction, and promoting a circular economy as viable. It also supports the growth of family businesses that dedicate themselves to waste management, creating a network of efficient formal recycling in Ecuador.