The province of **San Juan** could become a pioneer in the region by inaugurating its **first electronic waste recycling plant**. A fundamental advance in **sustainable waste management**.
The proposal, presented this week at the **Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development**, seeks approval to start the **construction and operation** of the facility.
## The project’s promoter and its environmental impact
Businessman Eduardo Ramos, a leader in recycling within the **Regional Environmental Technological Industrial Park (PITAR) of Rivadavia**, is the main **investor and promoter** of this initiative.
Preliminary studies indicate that the plant, with a **processing capacity of 500 tons per year**, would allow to:
– Recover 85% of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
– Reduce the release of toxic substances, such as lead, mercury, and flame retardants.
– Decrease by 70% the disposal of waste in uncontrolled landfills.
– Generate approximately $600,000 annually through the sale of recovered materials, including metals and plastics.
## A step towards the consolidation of the circular economy
So far, the provincial government has worked on **campaigns to collect and store WEEE safely**, but this plant would allow to **close the management cycle** and definitively align with the principles of the **circular economy**.
*”There is no efficient recovery system, which has generated authentic electronic waste graveyards,”* explains Ramos, highlighting that in a television, there are up to eight types of reusable materials, which can be separated through **specialized technology**.
Currently, **only some municipalities in Buenos Aires**, such as **Quilmes, Tigre, and Campana**, have **infrastructure to manage WEEE**, making this project a **milestone for San Juan**.
## Technology and investment for efficient electronic waste recycling
The businessman has visited **electronic waste recycling plants in China**, where devices go through an **automated conveyor belt** that separates **material by material**, allowing for **complete reusability** of electronic components.
The plant in **San Juan** plans to operate under a similar scheme, with **specialized infrastructure**, including:
– Crushers and metal separators.
– Waste treatment plants.
– Environmental and technological licenses.
The projections indicate that the initiative will **generate 20 direct jobs**, with **specialized training** for the workers beforehand.
## Environmental impact and economic benefits
The proper recycling of these waste **prevents pollution**, avoiding that **hazardous materials** affect the ecosystem.
Moreover, it would allow to **recover valuable metals** such as **copper, gold, platinum, zinc, and iron**, highly demanded by:
– Automotive industry.
– Plastic manufacturers.
– Specialized refineries.
– Fiberglass producers.
The project requires **2,000 square meters** for the **industrial warehouse**, storage and stockpiling, as well as **access routes and cargo circulation**.
The **environmental certifications** include **soil monitoring** and **quarterly leachate analysis** to ensure the **safety of the environment**.
## A key opportunity for San Juan
Although the **PITAR** was announced in **2017** as a center for **the industrialization of recycled materials**, so far **only one company works effectively** in the complex.
This new project represents an opportunity to **position the province as a benchmark in technological recycling**, promoting an **efficient and sustainable waste management** of electronic waste.
With the implementation of this plant, San Juan could become a **model of innovation and circular economy**, setting precedents for **other provinces** in the responsible treatment of WEEE.
