The first step to recover valuable waste is to sort it at the point of origin, separating recyclables from non-recyclables. However, the Municipality of Asunción does not yet provide a segregated waste collection service.

This becomes not only an environmental challenge, but a social and economical one as well. Urban recyclers rely on recyclable materials as their livelihoods, but often have to work in unsanitary conditions. Many businesses depend on recyclables for their production, others strive to reduce their carbon footprint.