On November 10, 1,000 mattresses from Santa Cruz, Galapagos, arrived in Guayaquil to be co-processed. This cargo was transported to the mainland in a ship that arrived at Puerto Gal.
In Santa Cruz, the mattresses were disassembled and their components (sponges and springs) separated. Thanks to the economic contribution of the company Ideal Alambrec, all metal is channeled to environmental managers for proper treatment and reintegration into other production processes; and, the bales with fabrics and other materials were channeled through Geocycle.
This company uses them as fuel in cement kilns, which minimizes CO2 emissions. In this way, what in other circumstances would have taken 100 years to disappear is eliminated in days, in a clean and friendly manner, contaminating an ecosystem as delicate as that of the Galapagos Islands. This initiative is promoted by the company Chaide with the support of the Municipality of Santa Cruz.
The experience gained in this first intervention has generated new learning for Chaide, which will allow him to continue with this task. The initiative was free for the community of Santa Cruz, but it did generate great value for them by caring for their ecosystem.
In Ecuador there are 14 million mattresses that are in use. “Eventually, all these products should be properly disposed of, but what happens is that they end up in sanitary landfills, where they will remain for decades before being degraded, exhausting the capacity of these spaces,” says Raúl Estévez, national manager of Sales and Chaide innovation.
PET bottles collected in the Galapagos will be turned into clothing
Although the management of this waste is complex on the continent, it is a challenge in an area declared a World Heritage Site. It is estimated that only in Santa Cruz about 200 mattresses are generated per year, which are deposited in the Fabricio Valverde Environmental Park, which accumulated 1,000 units without proper management.
How can I co-process my mattress in Ecuador?
Co-processing is an action carried out a few years ago by Chaide in Quito and Guayaquil. A month he does it with 70 mattresses, approximately. This service can be requested without having to be a client of the company, for the treatment of any brand.
The cost is $25 for each unit requested to be removed, regardless of size. If you are a Chaide customer, you are awarded $25 towards the purchase of your new mattress and the pickup of your used mattress is free. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
