Waste pickers: the heart of the circular economy in Colombia

When we speak about the circular economy in Colombia, waste pickers don’t always come
to mind first. However, their work has been essential before “circular economy” was even a
well-known term. For years, they have recovered materials and put them back into the
supply chain, allowing for waste to have a new chance at life. That’s why we decided to
recognize them as the heart of the circular economy and place them where they belong.
Their work does not always receive the recognition it deserves. For years they have faced
stigma, lack of support, difficult decisions, and a weight that also reflects a collective debt:
we still need to learn to sort our waste properly and understand the value of those who make
their recovery possible.

Recognizing waste pickers goes beyond just mentioning them on a specific day. It means to
make their fight visible, value their knowledge, and understand their work as essential for the
materials to be put back into the productive cycle.

At Grupo Plastilene we believe that the circular economy is built on concrete actions and
joint work. That’s why we have supported waste pickers and their organizations in different
ways, such as social support, environmental preparation, training, technical aid, operational
management, partnerships, and giving visibility to their role in the value chain.

This commitment is born from a clear conviction: to show the worth of their labor and
recognizing that they are key actors in the transformation of waste into new opportunities.
Recognizing waste pickers cannot just remain as a symbolic gesture. This must be
translated into respect, recognition, and actions that strengthen their work. This is why the
circular economy does not begin with the industry or end in packaging: it begins with the
hands that recover, sort, and make it possible for materials to remain in a consistent
circulation.

At Grupo Plastilene we will continue to work to translate this recognition into actions. We
believe that supporting waste pickers strengthens a more inclusive, conscious, and truly
circular economy.