In Colombia, recycling is part of everyday life. You separate your plastic bottles, put cardboard in a different bin, and hope it all ends up in the right place. But here’s the truth: most of it doesn’t.
In the latest episode of Trash Talks, we talked with Zania Roa, sustainability expert, activist, and one of the most outspoken voices on inclusive recycling in Colombia, to unpack the messy reality behind the country’s recycling system.
Zania shares her experience working with recyclers and organizations throughout the country. From technical and logistical bottlenecks to misconceptions around waste, she helps us understand why the Colombia recycling system doesn’t work the way it should. We also explore the limited market for recycled materials, the fragmented role of public and private actors, and the often-ignored importance of recyclers in the national waste strategy.
Behind the scenes of recycling in Colombia
From the outside, it seems like the country has all the pieces: a strong network of informal recyclers, public awareness campaigns, and growing business interest in sustainability. But as Zania explains, the reality on the ground is far more complicated.
In this episode, we explore why Colombia’s recycling industry, especially for plastics, remains stuck. We look at the essential and often undervalued role of waste pickers in the value chain and how technology, policy, and business incentives could actually help create a circular system. Zania also addresses common misconceptions around recycling and shares her vision for what a better, more inclusive, and functional recycling system could look like.
A conversation for everyone, not just waste experts
As always, Trash Talks brings tough topics down to earth. Whether you’re working in sustainability or just curious about what happens after you take out the trash, this episode gives you the real story with plenty of insight, context, and hope along the way.
Hosted by Susana Mesa and Alejandro Caiaffa, this conversation is part of Muta’s commitment to rethinking the way we handle waste and how we build more just and sustainable systems around it.
