Since the implementation of the program (2021), the results achieved to date are as follows:

• $5 million in sales,
• more than 1,600 jobs
• 13,000 tons of recyclable materials recovered.
• 18 collection centers strengthened and 10 collection centers received "business acceleration" grants,
• 471 registered grassroots recyclers
• 12 municipal ordinances drafted
• 368 students have collected 16,029 pounds in the "Eco promoters of recycling" program.

All of the above, not only helps the Recycling Value Chain as a commercial chain, but also contributes to:

• A social impact:

1. Generation of employment and dignification of work that allows them to improve income and thus energizes the economy.

• An environmental impact

1. There is no air or water pollution and there is a reduction of waste in the sea and rivers.

2.            Approximately 37,570 tons of CO2 equivalent have ceased to be emitted into the environment (EPA estimates).

"The impact is a virtuous, two-way circle. The associated companies reuse and recycle materials in their production processes; while the recyclers provide a service to the environment and simultaneously improve their income", Tomás Regalado, President of FUNDEMAS.

Strategic allies

The program has been implemented with the support of FUNDEMAS' strategic allies, including USAID, AECID, GIZ, LATITUD R, and has had the participation of companies such as La Constancia, Carvajal Empaques, TERNOVA, FOAM Industrial, Walmart Central America and Mexico, Parque Industrial Verde, Discovery Environmental, Diario El Mundo, TOTO Plásticos, ASIPLASTIC, TECHNOSERVE, among others.

The main actors

Since may 2021, FUNDEMAS and its allies have worked with the municipalities of Gran San Salvador, such as Mejicanos, Cuscatancingo, Apopa, Ciudad Delgado, Ilopango, Soyapango, San Salvador and Ayutuxtepeque. Subsequently, other municipalities with high growth potential in the recycling market were added: La Libertad, Santa Tecla, Colón and Sonsonate, where there are collection centers, recyclers'

Consolidated model with a positive impact on the environment

Just this may 17, World Recycling Day, proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to remind us that we can all contribute to repairing the damage caused to biodiversity, FUNDEMAS has pointed out that the inclusive recycling project has been consolidated as an innovative model, by strengthening the management skills of the actors involved, by transforming more waste into recycled products every year, and by promoting and influencing public-private policies for the implementation of a regulatory framework focused on recycling.

In 2022, the Inclusive Recycling project was recognized with second place by the Fundación Gloria Kriete for the high impact it generates in the recycling value chain.

"The impact is a virtuous, two-way circle. The associated companies reuse and recycle materials in their production processes; while the recyclers provide a service to the environment and simultaneously improve their income, since the material they manage to collect and insert into the recycling value chain not only generates an economic income for them, but also prevents it from ending up in rivers, lakes, seas, streams, streets or landfills", said Tomás Regalado, President of FUNDEMAS.

"To the extent that, with this alliance between large companies, recyclers and FUNDEMAS are strengthened for recycling processes, the production and use of virgin materials for the production of plastic or other products is reduced, which contributes to the reduction of the carbon footprint of the materials", concluded Haydeé de Trigueros, Executive Director of FUNDEMAS.

Translated by: A.M