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Atlantis Plaza: a sustainability benchmark inspiring Colombia's retail sector
Global Zero Waste Team3 minIn this article
73% recovery: a collective result
On 16 May, Global Zero Waste officially presented Atlantis Plaza with recognition as a Platinum Affiliate of the Zero Waste Management System, establishing it as a genuine leader in sustainability within the retail sector. This achievement comes on top of its Gold level certification awarded by Icontec, which it has proudly held for three years.
This recognition highlights not only the shopping centre's efficiency in waste management but also its integral approach to environmental education, continuous improvement and shared responsibility with everyone in its value chain.
One of the most significant milestones in Atlantis Plaza's environmental management is having reached 73% recovery of solid waste. That progress would not be possible without the commitment of tenants, customers, visitors and strategic partners, who have actively contributed to this purpose.
Reaching these results also comes down to raising awareness, which is why Atlantis has implemented a solid environmental training and awareness programme aimed at tenants, suppliers, staff, visitors and the neighbouring community. Every year, approximately 20 hours of training are delivered through workshops, campaigns and courses that promote a culture of recycling and correct separation at source.
Results that inspire:
The main achievements behind this distinction include:
- 132,000 kg of recyclable waste recovered a year.
- 466 tonnes of organic waste processed: Atlantis has built important partnerships with organisations such as Bio Orgánicos (for turning organic waste into compost) and Ecology Victoria (for handling recyclable waste).
- More than 40 separate waste bins for organics, recoverables and non-recoverables.
- A post-consumer point at everyone's service, collecting electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), batteries, used vegetable oil, expired medicines, pesticide containers and, soon, used clothing, making it a key point for preventing this hazardous waste from ending up in landfill or polluting the environment.
- 20 hours of annual sustainability training for tenants, suppliers and visitors.
Recognition of a committed team
The presentation ceremony was attended by Diego Romero, Technical Director, and Liliana Fonseca, Business Development Director at Global Zero Waste, who accompanied Atlantis at this emblematic moment.
At Global Zero Waste we extend this recognition to the whole shopping centre team, headed by Jaime Vidal, Shopping Centres Manager, Carlos Eduardo Gomez Reyes Operations Manager, and Juan David Rodríguez León, Environmental Management Lead, and to the whole interdisciplinary team that has worked with dedication, vision and commitment.
Our commitment stands firm
At Global Zero Waste, we believe sustainability is not a distant goal but a road built every day, with concrete actions, strategic partnerships and a deep conviction about caring for the planet.
That is why we accompany organisations through their process of transformation, providing technical tools, continuous training and a robust management system that enables material efficiency and correct waste management, resource optimisation and the creation of shared value.
We are proud to be part of stories like that of Atlantis Plaza, which show that a more conscious and resilient operation really is possible, aligned with the challenges of the present.
We will go on working with commitment, passion and excellence so that more and more companies join the Zero Waste movement and become agents of change in their sectors.
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