Business commitment to sustainability continues to grow in Ecuador. In the third edition of Let's Talk About Change, organized by Primicias in collaboration with Ypsilom, ReciVeci® was recognized for its work with ReciveCindad, winning first place in the SDG 11 category: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The event was held on October 29 at the Sheraton Hotel in Quito and brought together more than 450 attendees including business leaders, experts and organizations committed to sustainability. In total, 145 cases were presented from 75 companies, all aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ReciveCindad: a sustainable and inclusive neighborhood model
ReciVecindad is a network of 19 recycling stations distributed in different parts of Quito, funded with the support of the Embassy of Australia. At each point, the separation of waste at the source is promoted and co-responsibility is promoted between citizens and grassroots recyclers.
Each station has community guardians or guardians, who help maintain the order of the space, guide neighbors and encourage recycling in their neighborhoods. In addition, deliveries can be registered directly in the ReciApp®, a tool that connects citizens, waste pickers and companies to measure the environmental and social impact generated.
But the most important thing is that the materials are collected by basic recyclers in the same sector, which generates decent employment, reduces transportation costs and strengthens local economies. Thus, clean and separated waste becomes a fair income for those who support the recycling chain in the country.
More than recycling, it's about transforming communities
In Ecuador, less than 1% of the waste generated in Quito is recycled, and more than 20,000 basic recyclers recover more than 50% of the material that can be recycled, often under precarious conditions and without recognition.
The ReciVecindad changes that reality. Every season means less waste in rivers or landfills, more recovered materials and more time for recycling families, who can work in safer and more predictable conditions.
SDG 11 seeks to make our cities more inclusive, resilient and sustainable. With ReciVecindad, we demonstrated that this objective can be achieved in everyday life, when a neighborhood decides to separate its waste and take care of the work of those who recover it.
A recognition of collective work
This award is a recognition to all people, companies and neighborhoods that believe that recycling is also a way of caring for people.
“Each station represents a step towards the dream of seeing Ecuador separating its waste from the source. We don't just recycle materials, we are building an inclusive environmental culture that dignifies the work of those who support recycling in the country,” said the ReciVeci team.
From ReciVeci, we thank Hablemos de Cambio, Primicias and Ypsilom for this recognition, and all the people and allies who make ReciVecindad possible.
We will continue working for more sustainable neighborhoods, where recycling is synonymous with community, inclusion and hope.
