Regional waste management and recycling initiatives

Waste management and recycling efforts have been reported across several regions. In Venezuela, the Ministry of Ecosocialism is developing an industrial project in La Guaira to produce ecological building blocks using construction waste and recycled PET plastic. Additionally, the ‘Aragua Recicla en Educación’ plan was launched in the state of Aragua, establishing student ecological brigades in schools. This program uses a barter system where collected recyclables are exchanged for financial resources or school equipment.

In the Iribarren Municipality of Venezuela, the municipal company Junreca, working with the Ministry of Education, held an eco-exchange and sanitation day at the TEL Nueva Segovia school. Through this initiative, residents and students exchanged materials like cardboard, paper, and PET plastic for school supply kits. To support these efforts, Junreca launched a website and Android application for citizens to track recycling benefits in real time.

In Cuba, the ‘Mi Barrio por la Patria’ movement is coordinating the collection of aluminum, glass, ferrous metals, and plastic in Vertientes. Supported by local recovery companies and community work groups, the movement has helped collect over 690 tons of raw materials nationwide this year, though officials indicated that targets for paper and steel have not yet been reached.

In Spain, the city of Burgos initiated an environmental awareness campaign titled ‘Reciclar es cuidar de lo nuestro’ to improve waste separation and reduce landfill use. Meanwhile, in Mexico City, a legislative proposal has been introduced to mandate that large supermarkets provide permanent spaces for recycling to serve as collection points for authorized recyclers.