PREPARATION CENTRE FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING

Key areas

Recycling

Region/country

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

We are “ragpickers”, an old trade which provides us with our resources, which we have brought up to date with separate collection, preparation for reuse and recycling of waste objects and materials under agreements with 16 local authority associations in Navarre and different SCRAPS (management systems), which we then sell at our flea markets.

In our Preparation Centre for Reuse and Recycling, we collect, sort and process over 12,000 tons for reuse or recycling.

The centre spans 20,000m², divided into four main areas: TEXTILES, FURNITURE, WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) and BOOKS & SMALL ITEMS.

This centre is an important part of the Circular Economy in Navarre and is recognised as part of the infrastructure of the Navarre Integrated Waste Plan (PIGRN).

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

– COLLECTION
We carry out separate collection of objects and materials under agreements with 16 local authority associations and different SCRAPs throughout the whole of Navarre. Home collection is the main type of collection carried out. This “door-to-door” method helps us maintain close contact with citizens and collect greater amounts of waste.

– PREPARATION FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING
Once the objects have been collected, they come to our preparation centre, where they go through the following process:

* Manual sorting
* Preparation for reuse: checking, cleaning and/or repair of discarded objects so that they can be used by others.
* Preparation for recycling: separating and sorting parts and materials which make up the object to allow them to be reused as spare parts or raw material.

In 2019 we collected a total of 11,482,333kg, of which we reused or recycled 84%, and discarded only 16%.

– SALE:

The sale of objects and materials is the final step of our process. This allows us to make a living from our work and give objects a second life. At Traperos, however, we promote responsible consumption, and our flea markets are a demonstration of our solidarity and respect for the environment. In our seven second-hand shops, we present the collected, classified and/or repaired objects with care and attention, selling them at affordable prices.
With regard to the materials from disassembly (metal, wood, plastic, plates, rags, etc.) we sell these to authorised waste managers for recycling.
Shops: Berriozar, Artica, Gayarre, Triki Traku, Burlada, Estella and Tudela.

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

– 192 people work at Berriozar preparation centre, all under contracts for 32.5 hours/week, 35 hours/week or 37.5 hours/week.
– The number of companions for each area is as follows:
ADMINISTRATION: 9
GENERAL MAINTENANCE: 9
COMMUNICATION: 2
ENVIRONMENT: 1
VEHICLE/BALANCE MAINTENANCE: 3
CLOTHING: 41
UNLOADING: 2
FURNITURE: 8
WEEE: 36
BOOKS/SMALL OBJECTS: 10
SOCIAL: 1
COLLECTION: 70
Total: 192

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

Photos

1972 Barañain slumsrnBetween 1972 and 1978, a work camp was developed with volunteers to collect funds to build the village of Santa Lucía.

1978 Emmaus ragpickers community Inauguration of the Casa de Villa Simona, and start of shared life and work between different people with complex personal situations.

1981 Separate collectionrnActive participation in the first separate collection pilot project in Navarre, together with team Lorea.

1984 First convention on separate collectionrnInstitutional relations begin with Pamplona town hall, which promotes key aspects of the Circular Economy.

1985 Belzunce, a new community house,rnWith the support of other Emmaus groups, institutions and friends, an estate in Belzunce is bought to expand welcome facilities and work. rnrn1989 Social and Solidarity EconomyrnA congress is held, during which the basis of what will become the social and solidarity economy and social integration companies is proposed. rnrn1995 New premises at Sarasarn3000m² is bought to expand activities and increase the number of job roles. Now, not all workers live in the community.rnrn2002-2006 Belzunce bioclimatic house rnThe house is reformed and internal organisation and methodology is updated. The community becomes a “School of personal and collective growth”.rnrn2012-2020 New centre at Berriozar A 20,000m² factory is bought and renovated. The new headquarters, the Preparation Centre for Reuse and Recycling, is finished in 2020.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

COLLECTION: AMOUNT AND PROVENANCE OF OBJECTS COLLECTED

In 2019 we collected 11,482,333kg:
• FURNITURE (37.9%): Homes and waste facilities
• WEEE (25.8%): Distributors, homes and waste facilities
• TEXTILES (17.8%): Refuse containers, homes and waste facilities
• GLASS (10.7%): Establishments in the old town
• SMALL OBJECTS/BOOKS (4.3%): Homes and waste facilities
• PAPER (2.9%): Establishments and homes
• BATTERIES (0.6%): Establishments, refuse containers and waste facilities

Home collection is the main form of collection. This “door-to-door” method helps us maintain close contact with citizens and collect greater amounts of waste. Each year we carry out more than 55,000 home collections – more than 4,500 per month.

PREPARATION FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING
Of the total number of kg collected, we have reused or recycled 84%, rejecting only 16%.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

Due to the increase in kg collected, in 2012 we began discussing buying the new Berriozar centre.

The purchase of this new centre in Berriozar has increased the surface area available in Sarasa from 3000m² to 13,000m². This has allowed us to expand the repair workshop and will help us improve in new processes.

This expansion also involves an increase in the number of companions working here, which poses the challenge of reinforcing and rethinking the organisation of the collective.