The Bariloche landfill, considered by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) as one of the 50 most dangerous dumps in the world, represents a serious environmental and health threat.
It not only affects the local ecosystem, but also the health of thousands of neighbors who live daily with pollution.
With the aim of reversing this problem, Impacta Foundation promotes the Sustainable Cities Encounter, which will take place on October 30 and 31, 2025 in Bariloche.
They seek to bring together citizens, companies, and governments to design and implement technological solutions in waste management. The goal is to turn the Patagonian region into a benchmark for environmental, social, and economic innovation and regeneration.
Bariloche landfill. (Photo: utopiaurbana.city).
“Trash-Free Patagonia”: the call to action
As part of the encounter, the organization launched the “Trash-Free Patagonia” Call. The purpose is to ensure that the issue of waste remains on the citizen’s agenda, generating sustainable and long-term commitments.
“We want to make visible and promote real, scalable solutions with an impact against the garbage challenge,” explained Tomás García Laredo, founder of Impacta.
The spokesperson also highlighted the key role of sponsors AWDMedia, IKE, and Eco Estudio Solar, as well as international amplifiers Eco House, Zero Waste Uruguay, Zero Waste Argentina, Lixo Cero Institute Brazil, Zero Waste International Alliance, Zero Waste Latam, Mmayma, and Sistema B.
Solutions Contest: Argentine talent for a sustainable Patagonia
Sustainable Patagonia Call. (Photo: Impacta Foundation).
The contest aims to discover projects that prevent, manage, or transform urban waste in a sustainable, inclusive, and just manner. The initiative is directed at entrepreneurs, companies, cities, and organizations with technological proposals applicable to waste management.
A jury will select six winning projects, whose representatives will travel to Bariloche in October to present their ideas at the Sustainable Cities Encounter.
Registrations will remain open until September 15 at 3:00 pm through the official site.
An environmental challenge and a triple impact opportunity
Currently, the municipal landfill receives 200 tons of garbage per day, accumulating more than 500,000 tons in total. However, less than 5% of the waste is recycled, which represents a significant missed opportunity to promote the circular economy and the generation of green jobs.
Pollution also reaches the lakes and wetlands of Bariloche, directly affecting the quality of life of the population and the sustainability of tourism, one of the city’s economic drivers.
Impacta Foundation promotes the “Sustainable Bariloche” project, an initiative that seeks to bring together experts and local and international actors to build solutions to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region.
“We believe that true transformation is only possible with a comprehensive vision and sustained effort. This call is the first step towards a Trash-Free Patagonia, showing that with talent and collaboration we can achieve real change,” concluded García Laredo.
