Projects and companies that care for the environment from Tandil
- Jessica Oyarbide
- Jun 6, 2024
- 4 min read
Caring for the environment when doing business should no longer be optional. The consumption of natural resources is far more intensive than the Earth can regenerate on its own, and the extractive development model is causing great harm to both the planet and its people. However, there is another way to do business, and we find examples of this in Tandil.
According to the United Nations, “To keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Without action now, exposure to polluted air will increase by 50% this decade, while plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems could triple by 2040.”
Traditional, extractive modes of production and consumption have already proven unsustainable. Urgent problems require solutions that are in harmony with nature and contribute to human well-being.
According to Nicolás González, a sustainability and triple impact consultant and founder of NG Ambiental, "Sustainability is important in two aspects: environmental and social. It has been scientifically proven that our current actions have led us to a climate crisis. This means that atmospheric characteristics have changed abruptly (over geological time) due to greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in rising global temperatures. Currently, there is more knowledge about what affects the environment, how, and to what extent.
Furthermore, there are more tools to measure and keep statistics for better management. This, accepted globally, has generated greater awareness among people, leading to a change in production and consumption patterns. This is where the second aspect of sustainability comes in: these changes in people's habits, that is, choosing some products over others, affect companies that do not incorporate this knowledge, technologies, and methods into their systems, putting the business's longevity at risk. In other words, the company's sustainability over time. So, for a company, properly understood sustainability speaks to the ability to sustain itself economically over time by gradually incorporating the most relevant environmental aspects of its production unit in a constantly changing manner.
How does sustainability translate into business? Three local examples illustrate this.
Buena Rola: adding value to textile waste
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world. It has devastating consequences for the environment, such as the loss of biodiversity and the contamination of soil, rivers, and oceans. At the social level, there are numerous examples of allegations of human rights violations against major brands due to the conditions under which their garments are produced.
Buena Rola set out to make a difference. It designs and produces "clothing with a cool message," and a large percentage of it is made from textile surpluses from major brands. Industrial textile waste that isn't recycled and reused often ends up burned or in landfills. This creates a positive environmental impact by reducing polluting waste.
Furthermore, they make a large percentage of their garments in their own workshop and local workshops, allowing them to control the production chain and ensure decent working conditions.
Their products can be accessed through www.buenarola.com , at their store located at San Lorenzo 579, Tandil, and at fairs such as Bioferia, Puro Diseño and musical events.
Gregui Group: from electronic waste to sustainable decoration
Many electrical and electronic devices are difficult to recycle, often ending up in landfills, burned in the open, or simply stored with no final destination.
Grupo Gregui decided to innovate and created a new product: PlastiHormigón®. Used for flooring and cladding, it is made with a cement-based mixture with plastic aggregates from disused electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and additives that facilitate the adhesion of the aggregates to the plastic.
They were able to create a ductile product with greater tolerance to temperature fluctuations, greater torsion and bending capacity, and low heat absorption capacity, making it suitable for areas such as pool edges or sunrooms. It is quick and easy to install due to its low weight and easy handling.
There are already many homes and businesses that have their products, and although at first glance it is difficult to realize that they are made from recycled materials, the impact behind the product is enormous... promoting the circular economy. Some of their samples can be seen at the Clean Point on Avenida Santamarina.
More information at https://grupogregui.com.ar/#!/-plastihormigon/
3. Proyectarte Cooperative: recycling waste
With a growing percentage of people and companies separating waste at source in Tandil, initiatives that reclaim waste are also growing. The Proyectarte Cooperative is dedicated to recovering all those items and materials that other people and organizations no longer use.
The main impact is achieved by recovering, sorting, collecting, and reintroducing different types of waste, such as glass, cardboard, paper, plastic, and metals, back into the productive market. This allows the waste from some to become raw material for others.
The project seeks not only to recover, but also to recycle and give new life to some of the recovered elements, either by processing them to become part of the industrial production chain or by creating new products.
They provide home waste collection services in both Tandil and Vela, pick up waste from businesses and institutions, and deliver waste to local entrepreneurs who use it as input for their product development.
To contract this service, you can contact Myrian Bonini at 2494 598641.
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