Latin American Cities Are Finding Innovative Recycling Solutions

Latin America, like the rest of the world, faces a growing challenge: waste management. Rapid urbanization and economic development have led to an increase in the generation of solid waste, straining common disposal methods. However, within this challenge lies an opportunity – a much-needed push for modern recycling and other waste management solutions, not only dealing with waste in better ways but transforming it into valuable resources.

The entirety of Latin America only generates about half as much waste as the Europe and Central Asia region, and the average Latin American citizen makes less than half of the daily trash someone from the United States or Canada does - still, the region creates over 200 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, with a projected increase of more than 20% by 2030. On top of that, Latin America is the region that recycles the least out of any other in the world, and more than 68% of its waste goes to landfills - a proportion also higher than any other region (Kaza et al., 2018).

Because of that, landfills are overflowing, and informal waste management practices like waste picking (i.e., the practice of sorting, removing, cleaning, recycling, and/or selling waste to make a living) remain prevalent, and while they may provide a livelihood for many people going through poverty and hardship, it raises concerns about safety and the potential environmental impact.

Innovation Across LATAM metropolises

Bogotá, Colombia: Waste pickers are the reason many cities in medium-to-low income regions aren't completely soiled with garbage (Parra, 2019). Still, in their majority, pickers lack basic safety equipment and work in hazardous conditions, exposed to sharp objects, toxic materials, and disease.

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An investigation by an Argentinian news outlet covering news in Bogotá highlighted incidents where pickers suffered cuts, severe chemical burns, exposure to diseases, and in some cases, even amputations (Pardo, 2023). These types of incidents, although awful, are far from uncommon. While there is still a long way to go to ensure the safety, dignity, and fair treatment of waste pickers across Latin America, Bogotá is making progress.

After strong pushes from Colombia's Waste Picker Association, the capital invested in an integration program that has developed over the past decade. The program formalized the waste-picking sector, providing training, equipment, and benefits. In its first 3 years, the program had already helped almost 1 in every 5 waste pickers identified in the census. Still, Colombia has a long way to go until pickers perceive their treatment as fair (IEMS, no date).

São Paulo, Brazil: Solid waste is not the only kind of waste to be concerned about. There is also waste in the form of air pollution. São Paulo is one of the major cities in Latin America and positions itself as a leader in circular economy strategies and waste-to-energy solutions. Its landfill gas capture projects convert methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into electricity, which powers multiple homes and businesses (Paes, 2024).

In the realm of solid waste, the city set up composting sites citywide to manage over 130 yearly tons of organic waste, including vegetable waste from markets, and urban plant pruning. The organic waste is then turned into compost - in 2022 alone, the city produced 1,400 tons of compost. This compost was utilized as fertilizer for multiple uses, and it was estimated to have saved over 7 million liters of petrol. (C40 Cities, no date).

Why Latin America is a Viable Market

These stories highlight how the attitudinal shift around sustainability we've seen happen globally over the last decade has played out in Latin America. Governments are enacting progressive policies that incentivize recycling and hold polluters accountable. Businesses are also recognizing the value of a circular economy, and are investing in recycling infrastructure and developing innovative products from recycled materials.

Demand for Sustainable Solutions: As environmental consciousness rises across the globe and within the region, governments and companies are increasingly seeking sustainable practices. Latin America's focus on innovative recycling solutions positions it as a fertile ground for green technologies and partnerships.

Unexplored Potential: Despite the progress highlighted in this article, a significant portion of waste in Latin America remains uncollected or improperly disposed of. This presents a vast market for companies offering efficient collection systems, sorting technologies, and recycling infrastructure, or research agencies looking to help them do so.

Growing Government Support: Governments across the region have started to actively promote sustainable waste management practices. Incentives like tax breaks and subsidies create a favorable environment for businesses to invest in this sector in the region.

By embracing innovation and capitalizing on the growing demand for sustainable solutions, Latin America is not only tackling its significant waste problem but also positioning itself as an important player in the global shift towards a more responsible future.