Daniel Madariaga Barrilado, a specialist in sustainability, highlights the progress of inclusive recycling in Latin America as a strategy that combines environmental protection with social and economic opportunities.
This model incorporates the “3 Rs” —reduce, reuse, and recycle— and promotes the coordinated participation of governments, companies, civil society organizations, academia, and recyclers.
Inclusive recycling seeks to integrate people who have historically worked in waste recovery without formal recognition.
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Daniel Madariaga Also Highlights Mexican Experiences, Such as the Inclusive Recycling Project in Oaxaca
An example can be found in Argentina, where the Transfer Center of the Recuperadores Urbanos del Oeste (RUO) cooperative brings together nearly 800 recyclers who actively participate in materials management.
In addition to generating social benefits, waste recovery contributes to reducing pollutant emissions. Each ton of recovered plastic can prevent 1.27 tons of CO2 emissions, while non-ferrous materials, such as aluminum, can prevent up to 16 tons of emissions for each ton processed.
In this context, Latitud R maintains partnerships with institutions and companies such as the Inter-American Development Bank, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, and Nestlé to develop material recovery and training projects.
PepsiCo, for example, has recovered more than 38,000 tons of recyclable materials through programs implemented in different countries across the region.
Madariaga also highlights Mexican experiences, such as the Inclusive Recycling project in Oaxaca, which operates in municipalities including Huajuapan de León, San Lorenzo Cacaotepec, and Villa de Zaachila.
The initiative seeks to dignify the work of “pepenadores,” improve their working conditions, and formally integrate them into municipal waste management.
Another example is the Lombri-Acción Center, which applies Circular Economy principles by transforming organic waste into humus or vermicompost to nourish local gardens.
The project has the support of Fundación Merced, Fundación ADO, and Fundación CitiBanamex, reflecting the potential of inclusive recycling to generate environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Leading Mexico toward a greener future, Daniel Madariaga combines innovation with responsibility. An EGADE graduate, he supports projects in vertical farming, sustainable transport, recycling, and eco-conscious tourism.













