Sampedro Recyclers: our partners in Ecuador got to know Reciclene

This week we welcomed our partners from Ecuador to Reciclene. They collect, transport, and transform agricultural plastic waste in their country.

We’re talking about Reciclaje Sampedro, a family company that has a similar story to the one Reciclene had roughly 40 years ago.Today we don’t only collect and transport plastic waste, but we pelletize and use it in the manufacture of buckets used for the flower industry. This is a closed loop, following circular economy principles that connect farms, with industry, with a shared commitment to the environment.

Coming together was a mutual learning experience, filled with inspiration and made us reflect on the role transformers have when it comes to small and medium sized initiatives in the creation of a more sustainable future.

Along this journey, we shared with them our experience creating bonds with employees, water management, and volatile emissions control, as well as our suggestions on how to protect the health of employees in industrial environments.

Our visitors shared with us a deep admiration for everything Reciclene has done, and for betting on sustainability before it was anything even close to trendy. “You were already recycling when the world had just started talking about a circular economy. Coming here is an opportunity to learn from those who have already been where we are in this journey” said Álvaro, who now leads the operation of Sampedro.

Our meeting was part of a series of coincidences that started with the Sustainability Summit in Ecuador. That’s where the connection with Colombian companies was suggested, since this country already has an advanced recycling industry. Grupo Plastilene was immediately mentioned, since we have a presence in Ecuador with Agroplásticos. Today this gesture has become a connection point and exchange of knowledge between the two countries, as well as an opportunity to promote growth from a recycling perspective.

We are happy to know that our experience can inspire others, and reassures us that when we share what we’ve learned we can also help others find their own paths. Together we can support a goal of taking care of our planet, like we strive to do every day.

Sampedro is looking to expand in Ecuador and to keep aiding in the broader compliance of Extended Producer Legislation in the industry; they want to have a positive impact, socially and environmentally.