Recycling in the eco city of Loja Ecuador

Loja stands out for being the only city in Ecuador to recycle both organic and inorganic waste. In fact, the municipality has won a variety of awards for its eco friendly waste management system.

A few facts:

• 15% of the total amount of waste is recycled
• It takes about 6 months to decompose organic matter using a vermiculture method with Californian worms
• All the compost made is sold in locally
• The plant also has a school where they teach children how to grow food with organic compost
• Solid recyclables like paper, plastic and cardboard are sorted and reduced in a hydraulic press to form bales which sell for 40-60 dollars
• The operation generates one million dollars income each year to help offset the program's cost of three million dollars
• Due to the commitment by citizens to recycling, our landfill now has a lifetime of about 22 years

Loja still has more to do to improve their management of solid waste. However, it makes me proud to know that Loja is a national leader in recycling and many other municipalities come here to learn about our waste management system.

We can organize a visit to the recycling plant with advance notice to make reservations. The municipality provides safety helmets and vests for this popular experience. We also offer tours of the Villonaco Wind Farm, another project helping to green Loja. To arrange your adventure with an English/Spanish interpreter guide, contact Life in Loja by email, or phone/WhatsApp at 593-098-674-5994.

Life In Loja is registered under Ecuador’s department of intellectual rights as of 2022.