Zero waste to landfill: that's what we work on with our customers
Séché has operations in 16 countries: France, South Africa, Spain, Mexico and other countries in the region. In Peru, it is a major player for industrial customers who have hazardous waste. Its approach is the opposite of business logic: they are constantly looking for ways to receive less waste; reducing, reusing and recycling. Next, Carlos Barrientos, Regional Director Andean Community & Mexico, will tell us more about the Zero Waste to Landfill strategy.
1. Do you think that sustainability is not part of Peruvian culture?
I believe that the issue of sustainability, which is also a very broad term, has been used more as a matter of fashion than for real actions in general. Not all companies, but some take advantage of this opportunity to create content without value. Sustainability is to think about the needs of current generations, but without neglecting the needs of future generations, the generations of tomorrow. We are still in a maturation process in Peru.
2. Have you detected a real concern for reuse in the large companies to which you provide services?
Yes, in fact, it is part of the strategy, not only of the large companies, but also of ourselves. And although, this may sound a bit strange, because part of our business is landfill: the more tons we receive, the more we charge. We have a goal that we call Zero Waste to Landfill. Basically, it means "zero waste to landfill", and that is what we are working on with our customers.
3. What progress do you think should be made by now for proper waste management in our country?
I focus a lot on the issue of traceability and the issue of supervision. We do not have to invent gunpowder to be able to raise standards in our country. We must intensify supervision, control of the value chain, make sure that waste is really disposed of in an adequate manner; if that happens, we will have made a lot of progress.
4. Is much of the waste you manage reused?
The previous step to landfill is recovery. So, what we do is to ensure that there is proper segregation. If you do not do a correct segregation and you mix all the waste, which is the same thing that happens in our homes, if you put all kinds of waste in a bag, recovery is almost impossible, everything is contaminated. So, we have to work a lot on the culture of segregation at source.
Finally, I believe that we must always look for solutions to everything. That is where the creativity and technology that serious companies with high standards can generate. Therefore, our objective and differential value will continue to be to provide sustainable solutions designed in conjunction with our strategic allies, always managing to promote an environmentally responsible economy. If you wish to learn more about our initiatives, we invite you to visit our website: www.sechegroup.com.pe