Circular economy efforts focus on education and agro-industrial waste valorization

The transition toward a circular economy requires a fundamental shift in production, consumption, and waste management habits. In Chile, the Modo Circular 2026 event will highlight the importance of environmental education. Natalia Allende, founder of Design for Change Chile, will discuss how educating younger generations can foster a mindset change necessary for a new relationship with the environment.

Collaboration between municipalities, companies, and communities is also identified as a critical factor for success. Experts emphasize that sharing experiences and territorial symbiosis are essential to avoid starting from scratch when addressing resource management challenges.

In Ecuador, the potential for a secondary industry based on agro-industrial waste remains largely untapped. While laws and strategies exist, the transition is hindered by a lack of financing, technology, and infrastructure. Research by Bioconversión S.A. indicates that organic residues from banana, cocoa, and shrimp production chains could be converted into high-value inputs such as animal feed, fertilizers, or culinary ingredients. For instance, in the banana sector, the rachis alone represents a significant volume of material that could be valorized.