On November 7, Universidad ORT Uruguay in the delivery of recycled materials to Escuela Especial 209 Gerardo Cuesta in Montevideo. The initiative was organized byRepapel, an organization dedicated to environmental education and the circular economy.
This initiative is part of a joint effort to promote environmental stewardship within their communities and throughout society.
ORT and Repapel in Support of Sustainability
In 2017, the university began implementing strategies to reduce and recycle some of the waste it generates on a daily basis.
Committed to responsible waste management, ORT has recycling program that has collected significant amounts of paper, cardboard, plastic, and electronic waste.
As of early 2024, the following had been recycled:
- 38.5 tons of paper and cardboard
- 6.8 tons of plastic bottles
- 6.6 tons of electronic waste
Much of this material is collected by Repapel, which is responsible for sending it to the processing plants operated by Fabitech and Maple Vila. It is then transformed into, for example, materials for schools in Montevideo and other parts of the country.
This joint effort not only promotes recycling but also helps improve educational conditions for students in various communities.
Donation to Gerardo Cuesta School No. 209
On this occasion, Repapel provided School 209 with biodegradable plant pots, a set of 2025 calendars for the classrooms, andeco-friendly printerpaper, among other supplies. Toilet paper was also donated.
The event was attended by Inés Tiscornia, ORT’s deputy coordinator of Environmental Management, as well as Ayelén Pacheco and Matías López, who head Repapel’s Environmental Education and Logistics departments, respectively.
This joint effort strengthens the collaboration between the two organizations in support of environmental education.
What is Repapel?
Repapel is a nonprofit organization that has been promoting environmental education and the circular economy in Uruguay for more than 20 years.
Its mission includes establishing recycling networks that change consumption and disposal habits.
In addition, it implements waste management programs in public and private institutions, providing them with educational resources as an incentive for participating in recycling efforts.
The university supports Repapel's work by donating all the paper and cardboard it collects on its two campuses.
In this regard, Repapel plays a key role in the shift toward an environmentally responsible culture, inspiring local communities to actively engage in these initiatives.
ORT Recycling Program
Since 2017, Universidad ORT Uruguay implemented a waste management system at its Pocitos and Centro campuses, which cover more than 25,000 square meters.
To facilitate recycling, ORT purchased trash cans made from materials that are difficult to process, such as Tetra Pak containers and food packaging, which are transformed into a type of waterproof "wood" used in the manufacture of these trash cans.
The collected waste is sorted in accordance with UNIT 1239:2017, where blue indicates paper and cardboard, and yellow indicates polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles.
Every initiative ORT supports represents another step forward in its mission to make a positive impact on the environment and society.
Through activities held at various locations across the campuses and using data on recycling in Uruguay, this campaign promotes the proper use of recycling bins and raises awareness about the importance of daily recycling.
The initiative is led by Inés Tiscornia, who reaffirms ORT's commitment to environmental education.
A commitment that goes beyond the classroom
By participating in the delivery of recycled materials alongside Repapel at Gerardo Cuesta School, ORT reinforces its role as a promoter of initiatives that extend beyond its own facilities.
This initiative highlights the university's role in managing on-campus waste and its contribution to environmental education and awareness in Uruguay, inspiring future generations to embrace environmental responsibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr7otLmVgug