In the framework of International Recycling Day (May 17), the country's first post-consumer polyboard cup recycling program was officially launched with basic recyclers, a project that is still in its pilot phase and has been made possible thanks to alliances between McDonald's, Tork, the Essity Family Group and ReciVeci.
In 3 months of operations, at 5 locations in Quito, more than 158,000 glasses of soft drinks, coffees and ice cream have been recovered, equivalent to 2 tons of waste and the non-emission of almost 5 tons of CO2-eq.
A benefit for basic recyclers and recyclers
Following the logic of everything that ReciVeci does for the recovery of recyclable material, this project is linked to the work of basic recyclers and recyclers, specifically 12 in this pilot phase (10 women and 2 men), to whom: a) this material is delivered directly and separately, b) are paid for their material collection service, c) and in addition, the material is delivered free of charge so that they can sell it. 100% of these profits go to them and them.
In 3 months of implementation, 100 people have directly benefited, including basic waste pickers, Quito and their families, thanks to this circular economy model. In this time, not only has it been possible to increase efficiency in material recovery by 200%, but in April, for example, 30% of the revenues of the Grassroots Recyclers Association “For a Better Future”, who participate in the pilot, came directly from this project.
Closing the material cycle of polyboard cups
After months of doing studies and research from Reciveci in conjunction with McDonald's, and looking for ways in which it could connect with the industry in Ecuador to close the cycle of post-consumer polyboard cups in its stores, an alliance was created with Tork, the leading brand in professional hygiene of Grupo Familia de la Empresa Essity, taking as an example a similar system that was already being implemented in Colombia. This is how this alliance made this cycle closure possible, extending the useful life of the material by transforming post-consumer polyboard cups into napkins and paper towels.
At ReciVeci, we highlight the importance of companies with a national and global reach, such as McDonald's and Essity, talking about and positioning the term inclusive recycling with basic recyclers, and that, in addition, they recognize the payment for the service they provide us when it comes to collecting the material, a demand that has historically been the flag of the struggle of the waste pickers movement.
We continue to create alliances and strategies adapted to the specific needs of each company to walk together towards a culture of circular economy.
Learn more about our ReciveCI services for companies here.
If you want to learn about circular economy and inclusive recycling, visit our blog.
Related news:
McDonald's implements separation and recycling program in its restaurants, The Universe.
McDonald's implements a waste separation and recycling program in its restaurants together with Tork and ReciVeci, Metro Journal.
