Peru, Albina Ruiz, Ciudad Saludable (“Healthy City”) [2010]
Ciudad Saludable helps waste pickers form professional waste-picker associations. These associations can then negotiate with local authorities for contracts to manage a local area.
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Uruguay, Ana Luisa Arocena, TRIEX [2011]
TRIEX is developing an integral approach to dealing with toxic waste management in Uruguay. She is creating new technologies to recycle and dispose of hazardous materials in responsible ways, while promoting transparency, spreading environmental and public health awareness, and creating decent jobs for waste management workers. Ana Luisa Arocena has designed Uruguay’s first toxic waste tracking technology as well as the first machines dedicated to the safe destruction of fluorescent lamps, which contain high amounts of mercury. She is negotiating to implement one for cathode ray tubes.
Chile, Gonzalo Muñoz, TriCiclos [2012]
TriCiclos designed modular recycling stations, so-called Clean Collection Points, which can recycle up to 90 % of domestic solid waste. At these Clean Collection Points, businesses and citizens can drop off their garbage which is then separated and recycled. The recycled materials are sold. Clean Collection Points are hosted by local companies or shops, which in turn receive 50 % of the profits earned. As companies benefit from more waste being recycled, they have a strong incentive to initiate information and awareness-raising campaigns on recycling. Hence, Gonzalo hopes to slowly change the habits of Chilean people and replace the current waste management system.
