Recuperables de Rio Bravo

A Recycling Project

Authors

Valeria Barbosa

Valeria Barbosa

Luis Andres Cruz Flores

Luis Andres Cruz Flores

Sebastian Okamura

Sebastian Okamura

School

Universidad de Monterrey

Universidad de Monterrey

Professor

Consuelo Garcia-de-la-torre

Consuelo Garcia-de-la-torre

Global Goals

12. Responsible Consumption and Production 13. Climate Action

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Summary

Recuperables of Rio Bravo was founded in 2007. Some of the company’s primary focuses include proper waste management, safe transportation, material collection, compaction, and bringing innovation to the way we manage our trash. Their mission is to efficiently manage waste and simultaneously promote sustainability principles within their community.

Innovation

To many, their innovative waste management strategies are a crucial service. Although there are already systems in place that give this service to the community, Recuperables of Rio Bravo strived to do more, differently, and better. Their hometown of Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas is a close-knit community on the border with Texas. The frequent lack of resources in the municipal government has limited the possibility of waste management within the city. Hugo and his father started thinking of a way to help their city and the planet on a bigger scale. Mr. Hugo Soto Olivares had already acquired 20 years of experience in the recycling industry when he began to offer this service to the manufacturing sector on the Reynosa-Rio Bravo border. This is an area known for its renowned factories and large manufacturing facilities. Mr. Soto Olivares along with his son created Recuperables of Rio Bravo. This company ethically serves factories by buying waste in bulk, timely pickups, and employing people in the area to separate the sourced materials. Along with this, they strive to provide their clients with the best customer service and an personal approach to their needs. This holistic service strategy is what has earned Recuperables de Rio Bravo their reputation as a community building company.

A Recycling Project

Inspiration

The idea of Recuperables of Rio Bravo arose when Mr. Hugo Soto Olivares saw the enormous opportunity there was in his hometown area. The Reynosa-Rio Bravo border in Tamaulipas is bustling with industrial and manufacturing activity, but where does all their waste go and how are we managing it? Mr. Soto was already familiar with waste and recycling strategies and no companies nor governance in the surrounding areas were even close to developing something like this. He took it upon himself to start this project and serve these manufacturing businesses in an ethical way that benefits all.

Overall impact

The company's main activity is recycling, after the materials go through the recycling process, Recuperables of Rio Bravo focuses on looking for potential customers for this now recycled material. Mr. Hugo Soto Olivares says that “the secret to having good profitability is to sell in bulk”. This quick overturn of materials and profit is an excellent practice that brings several environmental and social benefits to Rio Bravo’s community. This company is socially responsible and protects the environment. To the community it's not just a business, but a team that works to make the city cleaner from the already overwhelming industrial sector.

Business benefit

Recuperables of Rio Bravo mainly profits from their recycling business. Through this activity, all parties involved can be benefitted. The factories have a local, formal, ethical waste management provider. The waste management company recycles and profits from reselling it, and Rio Bravo is not left to be an industrial waste dump. Without a company such as this one it is unsure that the city or local government could have the means to achieve a similar process. Despite the economic growth Recuperables of Rio Bravo humbly recognizes, they measure success in their community’s response. They are viewed as a reliable local company and valued by their staff and customers. Recently they have expanded into other imported materials and clients abroad.

Social and environmental benefit

Recuperables of Rio Bravo offers a broad spectrum of both environmental and social benefits. They are a socially responsible local company that has proven it cares for the environment. They have taken on the responsibility to strategically and ethically manage the waste from the manufacturing factories and transform it into a profitable recycled material. This business model provides the community of Rio Bravo with the social justice it deserves. Many times these types of industrial developments are situated among lower-income or more vulnerable groups. These types of facilities can harm the air and water quality and they simultaneously create a tremendous amount of waste. Recuperables of Rio Bravo is stepping up for sustainable principles and practices. They are committed to the protection of their environment and community.

Interview

Hugo Soto, CoFounder

Business information

Recuperables de Rio Bravo

Recuperables de Rio Bravo

Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, MX
Business Website: http://recuperablesrb.com/
Year Founded: 2007
Number of Employees: 51 to 200

Recuperables of Rio Bravo is an ethical waste management company based in Rio Bravo Tamaulipas. They offer waste management, transportation, collection, and compaction services to the industrial sector on the Reynosa-Rio Bravo border.