Recycle Organics LAC Program Set to Officially Launch in March

Ten countries from the Latin America and Caribbean region will meet in Chile for the inaugural workshop to mark the official start of the Program

WASHINGTON, DC – The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), ImplementaSur, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Global Methane Hub will officially launch the Recycle Organics Latin America and the Caribbean program this March. The Program supports 10 countries from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region in reducing their methane emissions from the waste sector over a four-year period. The 10 countries involved in the Program include: Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, St. Lucia and Uruguay.

The 1st Recycle Organics Latin America and Caribbean Regional Workshop will take place in Santiago, Chile, from March 21-23 and marks the official start of the Program. The event (invite only) will welcome senior government officials, climate finance experts and private sector representatives from all 10 countries to exchange knowledge, visit operational facilities in the region and learn best practices to stimulate the replication of successful waste management projects. The Workshop aims to continue the momentum coming out of the Global Methane Pledge and accelerate participating countries’ progress towards achieving a circular and carbon-neutral waste sector.

“This Workshop serves as a tremendous way to kick off our 2023 climate action,” said CCAP Executive Director Allison Bender-Corbett. “For the first time ever, representatives from each of the 10 participating countries will have a chance to connect in-person, observe successful facilities already implemented in Chile and learn about the latest trends in cutting methane emissions from the waste sector—it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience. I am excited to continue this important waste sector work with our partners and witness the inevitable and substantial reduction outcomes that are sure to come with the new tools and mechanisms that will become available to these countries.”

The overall goal of the Recycle Organics program is to facilitate conditions for a sustained expansion of organic waste management technologies and accelerate methane mitigation projects that bring significant environmental, economic and social benefits to countries across the LAC region. This project will build on the existing Reciclo Orgánicos-Latin America program, which supports six countries throughout the region and is funded by the Global Methane Hub.

Each year 2.01 billion tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is generated—a major emitter of methane. Sixty percent of methane emissions come from human activities, and methane has an 86 times greater warming potential than CO2 over a 20-year period. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in countries within the LAC region is of particular interest, since countries within this region are among those typically hit the hardest by the effects of climate change.

The program also seeks to help countries overcome regulatory barriers, raise awareness of concrete actions that can reduce methane emissions, and build capacity in LAC. Opportunities to reduce GHG emissions exist through the implementation of composting plants, anaerobic digesters and the capture of gas from landfills.

CCAP and ImplementaSur will provide technical assistance and develop a pipeline of projects within the MSW sector, while helping countries develop national policies that transform the sector in the long term. ECCC and the Global Methane Hub have provided funding to support these LAC countries to transition towards solid waste management best practices, which can contribute to achieving their respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

To learn more about the Recycle Organics LAC program, visit the new website, where you can also access organic waste management resources such as composting guides and other educational materials available to the public.

The original Reciclo Orgánicos program that took place in Chile was a huge success, resulting in a national organic waste strategy as well as 15 composting plants, two bio-digestion projects and five gas capture initiatives and is expected to reduce 9.5 million tons of CO2 by 2040.

The overarching goal of the CCAP Waste Program is to reduce GHG emissions in the waste sector by advancing policies, programs and projects that contribute to sustainable waste management. In the past, CCAP led the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Latin American Regional Waste City Network—a network of 24 of the largest cities in the region to build the capacity of waste stakeholders at the municipal level—to provide a forum for participants to share best practices and learn from others in the region and help cities prioritize MSW actions and measures.

CCAP is also leading a NAMA to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector in Peru, which recently entered the detailed preparation phase (DPP) under the NAMA Facility. The goal of Peru’s Waste NAMA is to reimagine Peru’s waste sector from a system that relies on final disposal to one that introduces circular economy concepts and strives to reduce and capture methane emissions and convert them to useable products such as compost or energy. To learn more, check out this recent story.

About the ECCC

Environment and Climate Change Canada is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for coordinating environmental policies and programs, as well as preserving and enhancing the natural environment and renewable resources. The ECCC informs Canadians about protecting and conserving their natural heritage, and ensuring a clean, safe and sustainable environment for present and future generations.

About the Global Methane Hub

The Global Methane Hub is the first coordinated approach to methane mitigation funding to help countries achieve their methane mitigation targets with the support of ambitious catalytic investments. The Hub focuses on the energy, agricultural and waste sectors which account for 96% of human-caused methane emissions. It lays the groundwork for long-term transformation of challenging sectors.

About ImplementaSur ImplementaSur designs and implements sustainable and resilient practices in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. From a systemic vision, the organization transforms the challenges of climate change into an opportunity to create value. ImplementaSur also led the design and implementation for the initial Reciclo Orgánicos program.

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CCAP’s mission is to support every step of climate action, from ambition to implementation. A recognized world leader in climate policy and action, CCAP creates innovative, replicable climate solutions, strengthens capacities, and promotes best practices across the local, national, and international levels to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, climate resilient future. CCAP was founded in 1985 and is based in Washington, DC.