Villa de Merlo recycling cooperative seeks compensation for municipal savings

A recycling cooperative in Villa de Merlo, Argentina, is demanding economic compensation for the savings their work generates for the municipality. The cooperative, composed of urban waste pickers, recovers approximately 60 tons of material per month, reducing the volume of waste that the local government must transport to treatment plants.

The group has faced several challenges, including legal battles to maintain their workspace and machinery following changes in provincial and municipal administrations. Additionally, the cooperative reported difficulties due to shifts in the recycling market and the closure of the national 'Argentina Recicla' program, alongside increased import competition.