“I have been recycling for eight years and we are rarely recognized. Here, for the first time, I felt that what we do matters”,
shared Jaqueline Pillajo during the protocol event of the ReciMañana Fun. Despite the cold and the threat of rain, Jaqueline arrived early in the morning in the Los Chillos Valley with her family. Little by little, she was joined by other basic recyclers from all over the city, who gathered for an event that, for a few hours, offered them something unique: a day dedicated especially to them.
Last Sunday, April 6, more than 300 basic waste pickers and recyclers met in the Valley of Los Chillos, not for training or work meetings, but to participate in the third edition of the ReciMañana Difundia. This event organized by ReciVeci®, designed especially for them and their families, is a day to rest, share and celebrate in community.
The morning began with the words of Paula Guerra, co-founder of ReciVeci®, who recalled how these initiatives came about:
“This year we celebrate 10 years since we started walking the streets in 2015, talking to basic waste pickers in the neighborhood of La Carolina. That's where we understood that, in addition to recognition, something very human was needed: spaces to enjoy, share and feel part of a community. This is how initiatives such as this ReciMañana Fun were born”.
The support of strategic partners opened the door for the community to access free services that are not usually available to them. They enjoyed dental and visual care, mental health counseling, haircuts and manicures, plus the delivery of clothes in excellent condition. In addition, the day was filled with recreational activities such as dance therapy and an exciting soccer championship that encouraged adults and children, while the little ones had fun in the pool and with inflatable games.
The celebration also marked a milestone for the organization when the relocation of the Glass Hub by ReciVeci® was announced, a space dedicated to the collection and conditioning of waste that, in just one year, managed to recover more than 1,000 tons of glass. Of the 100 current suppliers, 70 are basic recyclers who can now commercialize this material, which has meant an average increase of 30% in their revenues.
But perhaps the most anticipated announcement was that of the new function in ReciApp®: very soon, recyclers and recyclers will also be able to accumulate ReciPoints®, exchange them for prizes and access recognition that was previously aimed only at citizens. A technological tool that takes another step towards inclusion. Several recyclers were able to validate their data at the ReciApp® stand.
From RENAREC, Ecuador's National Network of Waste Pickers, Elbia Pisuña, president of the organization, shared a strong message:
“We clean the face of the world with our hands. This decent and valuable work is part of the country's economy.”
The day was made possible thanks to the joint work between social organizations, private companies and allied institutions. We thank McDonald's for joining the donation of Happy Boxes that brought joy to the families present. To FEMSA, Coca-Cola, Fundación Avina, Zurich Seguros and Latitude R for their valuable support. Also to Carishinas by Bike, who arrived with power and good energy. In addition, to the more than 60 volunteers who accompanied every moment of the event with attention to detail and a lot of commitment.
The ReciMañana Fun closed with learning, news and shared embraces, remembering that even in the midst of hard work there is always room for genuine care, encounter and recognition. More than a celebration, it was an act of justice for those who, with their daily efforts, promote a sustainable economy in our country. ReciVeci® reaffirms its commitment to continue working for inclusive recycling in Ecuador, strengthening that human bond that gives meaning to the technology that connects us.
