Sure! Here’s the translation into American English:
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In a context where Spain is facing crucial challenges in terms of sustainability, an innovative startup has mobilized over 8,300 citizens who have voluntarily completed more than one million recycling actions without any public assistance. This effort has been rewarded with a micro-incentive of 2 cents for each validated recycling, standing out as one of the most significant citizen sustainability initiatives in the country.
Collaboration between this startup and ACTORA Consumo, particularly the Torre Ramona Consumers Association in Aragón, has been key. Both parties have formalized an agreement that reinforces the participatory focus of the project while also promoting the development of a new Royal Decree on Packaging and Waste Management.
The RECICLA.APP application, available for free download throughout Spain, has recorded an impressive total of 1,006,177 recycling actions across 3,084 postal codes. This model not only aims to encourage recycling but also to turn each action into measurable energy savings. The proposal includes the potential to transform these savings into Energy Savings Certificates (CAEs), in line with the recent Royal Decree 36/2023, which would give economic value to the daily effort of waste separation at home.
The results so far are encouraging. The platform has 8,304 active users, and 96.6% of recycling actions have been accepted. Zaragoza, Barcelona, and Madrid are leading cities in energy savings promoted by this model, estimating a total savings of 963.5 MWh. Nationally, this initiative could potentially reach up to 1,000 GWh annually and 6,000 GWh accumulated by 2030, which would involve collaboration from 9 million households.
A notable aspect of the project is that areas with fewer economic resources have shown greater participation in recycling activities. This data suggests that incentivized recycling could be an effective means to address energy poverty, providing economic returns to those who need it most.
The model also presents an opportunity for municipalities, as they can use platforms like RECICLA.APP to promote circular economy policies and territorial cohesion. Additionally, it is attractive to investors interested in the combination of sustainability, verifiable data, and community return.
RECICLA.APP is emerging as an innovative solution that redefines recycling, transforming it into an action with tangible economic and social impacts. As efforts continue to gain institutional support to expand the model, it could turn the circular economy into a more visible and equitable reality in Spain.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
