With the purpose of providing technical knowledge, promoting the exchange of experiences, and consolidating environmental strategies throughout San Luis, the provincial government launched a program on comprehensive solid waste management.
This initiative is under the direction of the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development and will extend over several weeks with specific content for each module.
In this context, the company DH-SH, specialized in the collection, treatment, and recycling of used vegetable oil, led one of the first training sessions.
The presentation was given by Antonella Druetta, Sustainability leader of the company, who addressed the main challenges and possibilities related to the administration of used vegetable oil in the provincial municipalities.
“We are authorized for the management and transport of used vegetable oil in both the capital and the interior of San Luis. This instance was crucial to disseminate our work and strengthen coordination with the different local governments,” explained Druetta.
During the session, cooperation agreements were proposed, and a model municipal ordinance was offered, as, except in the capital city, there is no specific regulation on the issue.
The training was conducted virtually and broadcasted live on Twitch, allowing the simultaneous participation of representatives from different points of the territory.
Mayors, local officials, and environmental representatives committed to environmental preservation attended. According to Druetta, the enthusiasm and involvement reflected “the urgency and collective commitment towards more effective, equitable, and sustainable waste management.”
### Used vegetable oil: from waste to strategic resource
The management of used vegetable oil (UVO) constitutes a fundamental axis in circular economy policies, as its improper disposal poses serious risks: a liter poured down the drain can contaminate up to a thousand liters of water. However, if collected and treated correctly, it becomes a valuable input, for example, for the production of biofuels.
“Our work goes beyond oil collection. We build a value chain that connects collectors, processing centers, recycling industries, and communities. What used to be waste is now a useful raw material,” emphasized Druetta, highlighting the need to integrate efforts with governments to expand territorial reach.
The company already operates in numerous municipalities in San Luis, even in those where formal agreements are not yet in place. This work is part of their national campaign ‘Recycle Your Oil,’ which since 2017 has recovered over 33,000 tons of UVO, preventing the pollution of 36 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to 14,500 Olympic swimming pools.
In addition to its operational activities, DH-SH maintains a strong commitment to environmental education.
Their educational program has reached 5,000 students and over 360 teachers in ten provinces, promoting source separation and the recycling of special waste, such as used vegetable oil.
The company is officially authorized in San Luis and operates throughout the country through a network of registered collectors, ensuring traceability, regulatory compliance, and efficiency.
Currently, they have over 400 green points in 11 provinces and maintain 130 active municipal agreements.
### Provincial commitment to sustainable development
The training program will continue with new topics, including dry and wet waste, WEEE, hazardous waste, used tires, pathological waste, and circular economy.
One model case was that of San Francisco del Monte de Oro, which managed to eliminate an open-air dump after more than 30 years through the implementation of a local MSWM system (Integrated Urban Solid Waste Management).
“We seek to strengthen capacities at all levels of the State and support municipalities in their environmental decisions. These training sessions are transformative tools,” expressed Aníbal Cattáneo, Head of Waste Environmental Management.
The participation of DH-SH shows how collaboration between the public sector and specialized companies can generate sustainable solutions to structural challenges, such as waste management.
In a context that demands joint actions, institutional synergy consolidates as the path towards a cleaner and more equitable future.
*Photos: San Luis News Agency*
