Summary of "La economía circular, un negocio rentable - Programa completo"
Summary: “La economía circular, un negocio rentable - Programa completo”
This video explores practical business models, strategies, and innovations driving the circular economy in Latin America, focusing on tire recycling, waste valorization, and sustainable material innovation across Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Key Business-Specific Content
1. Chile: Pyrolysis Plants & Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law
Strategy & Regulatory Framework
- Chile implemented an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law targeting 90% tire recycling by 2030.
- EPR obliges tire importers, manufacturers, and distributors to manage tire waste responsibly.
- Applies the “polluter pays” principle, shifting waste management accountability to producers.
Operations & Technology
- Pyrolysis plants convert used tires into valuable raw materials without combustion (thermal distillation).
- Outputs include:
- Steel (for reuse in steel manufacturing)
- Black carbon (alternative fuel or charcoal)
- Pyrolytic oil (diesel substitute)
- The plant uses pyrolysis-derived fuel to sustain operations, reducing fossil fuel dependence.
- The process eliminates tires in approximately 21 hours versus 400 years decomposition naturally.
Metrics & Targets
- Chile manages millions of tires annually; 8 million tires are abandoned in streets or dumps.
- Goal: 90% recycling rate by 2030.
- Plant handles over 5 tons of tires daily, collected from municipalities.
Challenges & Learnings
- Changing corporate and public mindset is crucial.
- Previous recycling methods (e.g., rubber pellets for sports fields) were banned due to health risks.
- Innovation in product development includes binding black carbon with local potato starch to create safe, emission-free fuel pellets.
- Potential to replace imported coal (100 tons bought from Australia) with locally produced pyrolysis fuel, reducing carbon footprint.
2. Argentina: Entrepreneurial Recycling Venture – Ciclado
Business Model & Product
- Founded by Silvina Ibáñez, Ciclado transforms used inner tubes into durable, waterproof design objects like wallets and cases.
- Utilizes creative recycling to extend tire lifecycle and promote circular economy awareness.
Operations & Process
- Inner tubes are collected, cleaned, selected, and crafted using leatherworking techniques.
- The process is labor-intensive, emphasizing quality and uniqueness (each tube’s wear pattern is distinct).
Marketing & Community Engagement
- Focus on educational outreach to raise ecological awareness and promote reuse.
- Encourages community participation in waste reduction.
Challenges
- Limited recycling infrastructure in Balcarce and Argentina overall.
- Tires often end up in landfills due to lack of processing plants.
Strategic Takeaway
- Emphasizes the importance of local entrepreneurship and education in driving circular economy adoption.
3. Brazil: Circular Economy Adoption & Product Innovation
Market Context
- Brazil produces millions of tons of waste but recycles only a small fraction.
- Companies are beginning to implement circular strategies to reduce waste and reuse products.
Business Examples
-
Eeve: Offers durable, refillable bottles for cleaning products with 10,000+ subscribers.
- Reduces single-use plastic by providing concentrated refills for home mixing.
- Product design aligns with circular economy principles—durability and reuse.
-
Sustainable Materials Specialist (Carol Pisin):
- Identified 600+ materials made from waste and organic matter (e.g., coconut fiber, golden grass fiber).
- Innovates in packaging, wall acoustics, and construction materials.
Research & Development
- Federal Technological University of Paraná’s MUD lab transforms agricultural waste (e.g., sawdust) into decorative and functional products using fungi.
- Process involves sterilization, fungal growth, molding, and heat treatment to eliminate fungi.
Strategic Insights
- Brazil’s vast agricultural waste offers untapped raw materials for circular product innovation.
- Emphasizes R&D and partnerships between academia and industry for sustainable product development.
- Circular economy is still nascent but growing with entrepreneurial and institutional support.
4. Uruguay: Glass Sand Recycling Venture
Company & Product
- Glass Sands, founded by Ana Paula de María, recycles discarded glass containers into construction raw material (glass sand).
- Glass sand replaces natural sand in:
- Cement mixtures and derived construction products (tiles, pavers)
- Asphalt mixtures (up to 50% glass sand)
- Upcoming: filter glass sand for water purification.
Operations & Technology
- Complex grinding and sieving processes developed to produce consistent particle size.
- Innovations include custom machinery to handle glass’s abrasive and fragile nature.
Market & Challenges
- Uruguay discards approximately 20,000 tons of glass annually.
- Glass sand is currently more expensive than natural sand.
- Strategy includes leveraging public procurement to incentivize demand for recycled materials.
Environmental & Business Impact
- Reduces reliance on natural sand extraction, protecting ecosystems.
- Provides a scalable model for circular raw material substitution in construction.
Growth & Research
- Expanding product lines and applications.
- Seeking cost competitiveness and market acceptance.
Frameworks, Processes, and Playbooks Highlighted
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Regulatory framework shifting waste management responsibility to producers.
- Circular Economy Principles: Reduce, reuse, recycle embedded in all case studies.
- Product Lifecycle Extension: Transforming waste into durable goods or raw materials.
- Innovation in Material Science: Use of fungi, agricultural waste, and recycled glass for new product development.
- Community Engagement & Education: Critical for changing mindsets and market demand.
- Public Procurement as Market Driver: Leveraging government purchasing power to scale recycled products.
Key Metrics & Targets
- Chile’s EPR law: 90% tire recycling target by 2030.
- Chile plant processes over 5 tons of tires daily.
- Argentina discards approximately 150,000 tons of tires annually.
- Brazil’s Eeve: 10,000+ subscribers for refillable bottles.
- Uruguay: 20,000 tons of glass discarded annually; working to replace natural sand in construction mixtures up to 50%.
Actionable Recommendations
- Implement and enforce EPR laws to ensure producer accountability.
- Invest in pyrolysis and other advanced recycling technologies to convert waste into valuable raw materials.
- Foster local entrepreneurship to develop circular products using available waste streams.
- Promote education and community involvement to increase awareness and participation in circular economy initiatives.
- Encourage R&D collaborations between academia and industry to innovate sustainable materials.
- Use public procurement policies to create demand for recycled and circular products.
- Focus on product design that supports durability, reuse, and easy recycling.
Presenters / Sources
- Antonio Anistro (Mexico)
- Maga Schwarzman (Argentina)
- Janni Estrop (Chile, Pyrolysis plant professional)
- Mauricio Gómez Wiley (Chile, mining and waste management expert)
- Silvina Ibáñez (Founder of Ciclado, Argentina)
- Diego Saldaña (Brazil, environmental activist)
- Carol Pisin (Brazil, sustainable materials specialist)
- Leandro Shiro (Engineer, MUD lab, Federal Technological University of Paraná, Brazil)
- Ana Paula de María (Founder, Glass Sands, Uruguay)
- Gustavo Traversa (Collaborator, Glass Sands)
This comprehensive overview demonstrates how circular economy principles are being operationalized in Latin America through legislation, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation to create sustainable, profitable business models that reduce environmental impact.
Category
Business
