A year of the Glass Hub: more than a collection center, a catalyst for change!
This month, the Glass Hub by ReciVeci, O-I Cridesa, celebrates its first anniversary since it opened its doors in November 2023. This project, an initiative promoted by the company O-I Cridesa and implemented by ReciVeci, has revolutionized the management of glass recycling in the center-north of the country. With the mission of bridging the logistical gap in the glass recycling chain, the Hub has marked a milestone on the path of an inclusive circular economy in Ecuador.
Social and operational achievements during the first year of the Hub
- In just one year of operation, the Glass Hub has recovered almost a thousand tons of glass!, preventing this 100% recyclable material from ending up in landfills. During this time, the project has added more than 100 suppliers, of whom around 60 are basic recyclers and recyclers, who now receive more income from the sale of this material that they did not recover before, precisely because it is a heavy, bulky material that did not represent the effort (the price they previously paid per kilo was extremely low).
- We won one of the Business Development Funds of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thanks to EDF! This project, which was carried out for 6 months, allowed the Hub's capacity to be amplified and strengthened in key areas of its operation.
- New operators were hired, who in total number four, three of them being basic recyclers. To ensure its safety, the Hub complies with strict security measures (safety protocols, personal protective equipment, etc.), something that sets it apart from other glass collection centers.
- A new elevator was also purchased, which, together with the hiring of operators, has made it possible to triple the amount of glass processed! (thanks to IOM and EDF).
- A van was purchased which makes it possible to remove glass from different establishments, and thus improve collection efficiency. With it, we make weekly collection routes to basic recyclers, establishments and other suppliers who have no way of coming directly to deliver the material to the Hub.
Training for basic waste pickers and the impact of the Business Development Fund
Through the process with IOM, a training program was also implemented for basic recyclers, many and many of them who are currently suppliers of the Glass Hub. The training was carried out in two cycles, of 4 trainings each, and where more than 150 basic recyclers were able to learn on: 1) Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2) Financial Security, 3) Rights of Grassroots Recyclers and 4) Recycling Safety. In the end, each basic recycler received personal protective equipment (aprons, gloves, caps, tulles and a booklet containing valuable information about the workshops).
This project also allowed us to strengthen our community, through the provision of incentives and awards to the suppliers of the Glass Hub. Thanks to this, more than 70 awards were awarded between September and October 2024!, to basic recyclers and to establishments that recycle with the Glass Hub.
In addition, during this process, the contest was also held”Valuable Glass”, in September 2024, where citizens were encouraged to recycle glass. These initiatives in turn are part of O-I Cridesa's Better Planet Glass campaign.
Much more than a collection center: the future of the Glass Hub
During this first year, the Glass Hub has become not only much more than a collection center, but also the operational and creative base of ReciVeci, from where we plan new projects and initiatives are created to continue promoting inclusive recycling.
At ReciVeci, we have the vision of expanding the Hub's impact, optimizing its efficiency and consolidating it as a space that connects all the actors in the glass recycling chain. We want this to be a place of learning and collaboration for the academy, the private sector, and the public sector, thus promoting an inclusive circular economy.
We thank O-I Cridesa for their trust and support in this project, and to all the people and institutions that have accompanied us on this journey.
For many more years of growth of the Glass Hub, in favor of the inclusive circular economy!
