Alexei Volkov
Peru has been taking steps to improve its recycling infrastructure and reduce plastic waste. In 2014, a new law was passed allowing plastic bottles to be recycled into new ones, providing a boost to the industry. The country has also implemented policies to phase out single-use plastic bags and other non-recyclable plastic products. Various organisations, such as Ciudad Saludable and PRISMA, are working to promote recycling and support waste pickers, and the government is taking steps to improve waste management, although solid waste disposal remains a significant challenge. With increasing consumption of electrical and electronic equipment, Peru also faces a growing e-waste problem, and initiatives like the Swiss e-waste programme aim to address this issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling in Peru | Poor |
| Year of new law | 2014 |
| Plastic bottles recycled into | New bottles |
| Number of plastic bottles recycled | 92,000 tonnes of PET |
| Percentage of plastic bottles recovered | Less than 50% |
| Law proposed by | Government of centrist President Martin Vizcarra |
| Law supported by | Opposition-controlled Congress |
| Number of countries with bans or taxes on single-use plastics | 60 |
| Percentage of plastic recycled globally | 9% |
| Number of tons of solid waste produced in Peru daily | 20,000 |
| Solid waste dumped in | Waterways or informal trash heaps |
| Organisation that operates a recycling program in Northern Peru | PRISMA |
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What You'll Learn
Peru's 'Law of the Recycler'
Peru's 2009 "Law of the Recycler" was the first of its kind in the world. The law has helped to transform the work of waste recyclers into a respected trade. The law allows plastic bottles to be recycled into new ones, as is done in other Latin American countries. Before the law, waste recyclers were branded "nut cases" and drug addicts, and were picked up by police or chased away from their foraging for recyclables. Now, they have a permit to work and are recognised as important by the Peruvian government.
The law has also helped to boost the recycling industry in Peru. With the new legislation, it is expected that Peru will not need to buy as much oil resin from non-renewable resources, and will use less energy and water in manufacturing. In addition, the law has helped to create jobs and boost the price of recycled materials, generating a better income for those who gather it.
At the municipal level, rules and regulations also make a difference. For example, in Lima, there are efforts to make it mandatory for new buildings to have allocated chutes and storage spaces for recycling. In addition, organisations such as Ciudad Saludable are helping waste pickers set up formal groups and micro-enterprises.
The first step for recyclers is to register their association. They then receive training, often provided by municipalities, in integrated waste management, biosafety and first aid, personal development skills and how to run a business. Municipalities authorise the recyclers to operate, and their revenue comes from companies that buy recycled materials. However, a new model is being considered in which local councils would pay recyclers to collect garbage.
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The country's waste recycling industry
Peru's waste recycling industry has seen significant developments in recent years, with a growing focus on environmental protection and sustainability. One notable boost to the industry was the passage of the "Law of the Recycler" in 2009, which transformed waste recycling into a respected trade. This law, the first of its kind globally, provided legal recognition and improved working conditions for waste recyclers, who were previously stigmatized and faced abuse.
The country has also witnessed the emergence of organizations like Ciudad Saludable (Healthy City), which assists waste pickers in forming formal groups and micro-enterprises. This organization has successfully advocated for more inclusive recycling practices, such as securing permits for waste recyclers and collaborating with city authorities to promote recycling initiatives. For instance, they are working to make it mandatory for new buildings in Lima to have separate chutes and storage spaces for recycling.
Peru has also implemented policies to address the increasing volumes of e-waste, which has become a pressing issue due to the surge in electrical and electronic equipment imports. The "Swiss e-waste programme," executed between 2009 and 2013, laid the groundwork for subsequent initiatives. Since 2013, the "Sustainable Recycling Industries" (SRI) programme has worked to establish a legal e-waste framework, improve communication and standardization, and promote producer-led take-back systems.
Additionally, Peru has developed a WEEE-related policy framework, which includes national regulations for WEEE management, directives for the loan and donation of WEEE from the public sector, and technical standards for WEEE treatment. The Technical Support Committee (CAT-RAEE), chaired by the environmental ministry and advised by SRI and its partner organization IPES, aims to ensure compliance with WEEE regulations and encourage stakeholder participation.
Despite these advancements, solid waste disposal remains a significant challenge in Peru, with only 12% of the country's waste being recycled. However, there is optimism that the industry will continue to grow and improve, creating jobs and boosting the price of recycled materials.
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Efforts to reduce plastic waste
Peru has implemented several initiatives and policies to reduce plastic waste and promote recycling. Here are some key efforts:
The 2009 "Law of the Recycler" was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that transformed waste recycling into a respected trade. This law provided legal recognition and protection to waste recyclers, empowering them with permits and training. It also mandated municipalities to authorize recyclers' operations and encouraged the formation of formal groups and micro-enterprises in the recycling industry.
In 2014, Peru passed a new law allowing plastic bottles to be recycled into new ones, similar to practices in other Latin American countries. This law is expected to boost the recycling industry, create jobs, and increase the value of recycled materials, providing better incomes for those in the trade.
Peru has also amended its Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Law to prioritize circular economies and promote waste recovery and recycling. This amendment mandates the segregation of solid waste at the source, such as households and businesses, and requires the transfer of recyclable materials to authorized recycling associations. It also instructs municipalities to develop segregation programs within their jurisdictions.
To address the challenge of electronic waste (e-waste), Peru has implemented the "Swiss e-waste program" in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Research and Technology (Empa) and the Peruvian organization IPES. This program aims to establish a legal e-waste framework and promote producer-led take-back systems. Peru has also developed WEEE-related (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) policies, including national regulations, directives for the public sector, and technical standards for WEEE management.
Additionally, local governments and organizations play a crucial role in promoting recycling programs. For example, Ciudad Saludable, a Peruvian non-profit, works with city authorities to implement ordinances that make it mandatory for new buildings to have separate chutes and storage spaces for recycling. Their initiatives have attracted around 15,000 families to participate in recycling programs.
Furthermore, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been actively involved in reducing plastic waste in Peru through its Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program. This program focuses on inclusive, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable waste management practices. Through partnerships with local governments and communities, CCBO has improved waste management systems and promoted the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) in cities like Máncora, Paita, and Pisco. These efforts have secured over 2,000 metric tons of plastic from leaking into the environment and benefited more than 67,000 households with enhanced solid waste services.
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The Swiss e-waste programme
Empa, in collaboration with its Peruvian counterpart IPES, executed the programme in Peru between July 2009 and April 2013. The initiative aimed to address the increasing volumes of e-waste in the country, driven by a steep rise in the consumption of electrical and electronic equipment. Over 107,000 tons of such equipment entered the Peruvian market through imports in 2014 alone, with refrigerators, electric stoves, microwaves, and televisions accounting for the majority.
The programme's objectives included evaluating current e-waste management practices, designing improvement strategies, and supporting the implementation of urgent activities through pilot projects. It promoted mutual learning and knowledge exchange among stakeholders in the participating countries. Additionally, the programme facilitated the establishment of the StEP-Initiative, a global platform aimed at enhancing e-waste management by engaging developing countries.
In Peru, the programme's activities were prolonged beyond 2013 through the "Sustainable Recycling Industries" (SRI) programme. SRI worked towards consolidating the achievements of the Swiss e-waste programme by strengthening the capacities of operators and promoting the implementation of producer platforms for the take-back of e-waste. SRI also contributed to the formation of a multi-sectorial working group, the Technical Support Committee (CAT-RAEE), which is chaired by the environmental ministry and advised by IPES. This committee promotes the fulfilment of WEEE regulations and the involvement of key stakeholders.
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The Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) programme
SRI contributes to favourable framework conditions that enable the development of a sustainable recycling industry, with a focus on the environmental pillar of sustainability. It does so through the introduction of standards such as safety standards in recycling plants and the standards for the recycling process itself, working towards a more environmentally sound recycling industry.
The programme includes experts in the field and builds strong local partnerships with governmental organizations, industry, and civil society. SRI improves local capacity for sustainable recycling together with private and public institutions, as well as the informal sector in Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Peru, and South Africa.
The objective of SRI is the sustainable integration and participation of small and medium enterprises from developing and transition countries in the global recycling of secondary resources. SRI contributes to SDG 1 by strengthening job opportunities in the recycling industry and helping former informal workers gain a formal income to provide for their families, as well as by fostering young entrepreneurs.
To ensure the sustainability of actions, SRI applies several strategies. These include triggering stakeholder commitment and trust through institutionalized multistakeholder processes, establishing a level playing field by supporting the development and enforcement of national policies, and partnering with local organizations to implement monitoring and auditing of recycling efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
Peru has implemented a number of measures to reduce plastic waste, including a law that outlaws the manufacturing, importation, distribution, and consumption of single-use plastic bags within three years. The country has also approved a law that allows plastic bottles to be recycled into new ones, and is working to implement a legal e-waste framework.
The "Law of the Recycler" is a law passed in Peru in 2009 that transformed recycling into a respected trade. It gave waste recyclers a permit to work and allowed them to register their associations and receive training in integrated waste management, biosafety, and other relevant skills.
Ciudad Saludable (Healthy City) is a Peruvian organization that helps waste pickers set up formal groups and micro-enterprises. They also work with city authorities to implement ordinances that promote recycling, such as making it mandatory for new buildings to have allocated chutes and storage spaces for recycling. Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) is another organization that works to consolidate advances through the implementation of a legal e-waste framework and the strengthening of capacities of operators for improved technical standards and environmental treatment of e-waste.
Peru recycles plastic bottles and electronic waste (e-waste). The country has seen a steep increase in the consumption of electrical and electronic equipment, leading to increasing volumes of e-waste.
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