The Circular Economy Committee is the body responsible for developing frameworks, guidelines, and standardization tools to guide the country in its transition toward more sustainable production models.
The committee includes experts in the field, and the representative appointed by the faculty is Mag. Inés Tiscornia, a professor in the Biotechnology programs and deputy coordinator of the Environmental Management department, who provides ORT’s technical and academic perspective during the committee’s working sessions and in the process of developing national standards and/or adapting to international standards. To date, the committee has published three standards, and two are currently in the draft stage.
Toward a model that maximizes the value of resources
The circular economy proposes moving away from the linear “make–use–dispose” model, which currently places a strain on natural resources and causes growing environmental impacts. Instead, it promotes systems in which materials retain their value for longer, are reused, transformed, and returned to the production cycle without becoming waste.
This vision entails a profound shift in the design of products, processes, and value chains, and is key to improving efficiency, reducing costs, and fostering new opportunities for innovation.
An approach aligned with international standards
The committee's work is guided by principles promoted by global leaders such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a pioneering institution in the conceptualization and promotion of the circular economy. Its approach is based on three pillars: eliminating waste and pollution at the design stage, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
This international perspective provides a solid conceptual foundation for the standardization initiatives that UNIT leads at the national level.
Academic contribution from the field of engineering
The participation of the School of Engineering will contribute expertise in key technical areas essential for the adoption of circular models, including life cycle analysis, process design, energy efficiency, technological innovation, and systems modeling, among others.
In addition, it establishes a formal channel for collaboration between academia, industry, and public agencies, fostering the development of solutions based on scientific evidence and applied technology.
Serving on this committee allows us to stay up to date on the latest developments in the circular economy—a topic that cuts across various disciplines within the faculty—to interact with leading experts in the field, and to contribute our technical expertise.
Contribution to SDG 17 and strengthening of partnerships
Joining the committee also represents progress in the area of strategic partnerships, a key indicator of Sustainable Development Goal 17. Collaboration with UNIT and other stakeholders in the ecosystem is a concrete example of the initiatives that reinforce the faculty’ s commitment to the country’s sustainable development.