During the year 2026, In the public, industrial and food sectors, several organizations have begun the process of affiliation and implementation of the Zero Waste Management System (SGZW) Global Zero Waste, reaffirming its commitment to the circular economy, sustainability and the optimization of the use of resources.

The Zero Waste Management System is an international tool that enables organizations to design, implement and continuously improve strategies to optimize the flow of materials, prevent waste generation and strengthen their environmental, social and economic performance. This system is based on the principles of the circular economy and promotes the implementation of strategies such as reduce, reuse and recycle, complemented by the 9R of the Zero Waste model: reject, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, recover parts and recycle.

Through this approach, organizations can maintain materials at their highest possible value within the production cycles, avoiding their final disposal in landfills or incineration processes and contributing to the regeneration of natural systems. 

Softys Uruguay: Platinum leadership in Zero Waste

At Global Zero Waste We understand that awards acquire true value when they are backed by measurable results, strategic coherence and sustained continuous improvement over time. That is why, during the most recent Zero Waste Awards gala, held on December 9, 2025, we were especially proud to celebrate Softys Uruguay, distinguished as a Platinum Affiliate of the Zero Waste Management System Program.

This milestone consolidates a process that formally began in 2022, when its plant in Pando obtained the Zero Waste Management System Gold category certification, granted by Icontec and Global Zero Waste. After maintaining this certification for three consecutive years and demonstrating consistent results, the operation has now reached the highest level within our affiliate program.

Coherence between strategy and operation

Under the corporate promise “We care for the future today”, Softys Group has defined its Sustainability Strategy 2024-2028 structured on four pillars: being responsible from start to finish, caring for consumers, supporting communities and being better together.

In the environmental area, the company is committed to “doing more with less”, assuming responsibility for its impact throughout the value chain. Among its goals are:

• To be zero industrial waste to landfill.
• Reduce water use by 60% by 2028.
• Reduce GHG emissions by 50% (Scopes 1 and 2) by 2030.
• Certify 100% of its operations under the Zero Waste Management System by 2028.
• Move towards 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2030.

Management with concrete results

The operation currently recovers approximately 89% of the waste generated in its production processes by the end of 2025, reincorporating materials into production cycles through recycling or composting.

Among the wastes managed are:

• Paper and cardboard
• Wooden pallets
• Recovered fiber
• Wires and scrap
• Polyethylenes
• PET Bottles

The recovery of fiber stands out in particular, which reduces the use of virgin raw materials and optimizes the use of resources, strengthening the circular economy logic in the paper industry.

These results are the fruit of rigorous technical management, with traceability, segregation at source, strategic alliances and a consolidated continuous improvement system.

Circular economy with a territorial approach

A differentiating element is territorial articulation. The alliance with the Municipality of Canelones has made it possible to promote joint initiatives for the management and use of organic waste, demonstrating that industrial sustainability is strengthened when there is public-private coordination.

The plant's active participation in regional and national forums has also contributed to making progress visible and sharing best practices, generating an impact beyond its own operational limits.

Leadership that integrates sustainability into corporate management

Global Zero Waste would like to extend a special congratulations to the team that made this achievement possible.

This milestone is strongly supported by senior management. Under the leadership of Mariano Paz, According to Softys Uruguay's Sr. Director and General Manager, sustainability has been consolidated as a structural axis of the business in Uruguay, ensuring that environmental, operational and governance commitments are fully integrated into strategic planning and decision making. When sustainability is incorporated into the management model and does not operate as a parallel initiative, the necessary conditions are generated to sustain results in the long term.

In the same line, the strategic direction in sustainability has been led by Lucía Estrada, from the Legal, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs area, who has promoted the cross-cutting integration of sustainability into corporate management. Her work has strengthened internal governance, the coherence between declared goals and operational execution, and the alignment of the local operation with the Softys Group's regional strategy, ensuring that environmental commitments are measurable, auditable and consistent over time.

At the technical level, the leadership of Santiago Giardello, Head of Safety and Environment and of Victoria Heber, The Environmental Supervisor, who has been instrumental in ensuring the rigorous implementation of the Zero Waste Management System in the operation. The discipline in monitoring indicators, traceability of waste, continuous improvement of processes and the appropriation of the standard by the plant teams are a reflection of a solid technical management that has allowed us to maintain the certification for three consecutive years and advance to the Platinum level.

However, this recognition transcends individual leadership. Each plant employee has contributed to consolidating an organizational culture where responsible waste management is part of the daily work and where continuous improvement is understood as a shared responsibility. Sustaining a standard of this magnitude year after year requires constant training, coordination between areas, transversal commitment and a common conviction that sustainability is an essential part of operational excellence.

A benchmark for the regional industry

Being the first company in Uruguay to obtain and maintain certification in the Gold category, and today consolidating its position as a Platinum Affiliate, positions Softys Uruguay as a reference in the regional paper industry.

This case demonstrates that the circular economy is viable when:

• Sustainability is integrated into the corporate strategy.
• There is clear and responsible leadership.
• The indicators are measurable and auditable.
• Continuous improvement is part of the organizational culture.

Caring for the future today

Recognition as a Platinum Affiliate is not an isolated symbol. It is the result of three years of consistent work, coherent strategic decisions and a committed team that understands that tomorrow is built with concrete actions in the present.

From Global Zero Waste we reiterate our congratulations to Softys Uruguay, to its leaders and to each one of its collaborators. Their work demonstrates that sustainability is not an aspirational discourse, but a solid, measurable and replicable business practice.

Because when an organization decides to take care of the future today, it transforms its operation, strengthens its territory and raises the standard of its entire industry.

If you missed the broadcast of the most recent Zero Waste International Awards Ceremony, we invite you to relive it here:

Standardization, competitiveness and clear rules to ensure the plastics industry's transition to the plastics economy.to circulate

The circular economy of plastics is at a turning point. Europe has raised the regulatory standard with Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste that came into force on 12 February 2025 and the strengthening of Extended Producer Responsibility for textile products. However, the current debate no longer revolves around how much regulation exists, but rather its consistency and enforceability.

The question dominating the industry today is deeper: Can the European circular system be competitive without losing technical rigor?

These topics will mark the 7th edition of the business summit GO CIRCULAR, to be held on March 25 and 26, 2026 in Mannheim, Germany, under the title “Promoting plastic clarity: linking policies, policiestechnology, technology, technology, technologyand consumers”.”.

Transparency and traceability in the standardization processes are key

In the panel “Global Perspectives: Leveling the playing field”, our Founder and CEO Sandra Pinzón will present the experience in the implementation of the Global Zero Waste Standard, with an approach based on standardization, measurement and technical verification.

Real cases of textile and packaging waste management implemented in different countries of the region will be shared, such as Falabella, a leading retail, e-commerce and financial services company, which operates mainly in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay; and to Darnel Ajover, a multinational plastic packaging company with production plants in Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, Spain and Turkey.

As a leader of the Global Zero Waste Standard, Sandra will bring to Mannheim a technical approach focused on the evolution of materials and waste management systems towards structured, measurable and internationally comparable models. She will highlight how methodologies such as the Zero Waste Management System, based on performance indicators, compliance criteria and independent third-party verification, ensure traceability, methodological consistency and transparency throughout the material cycle.

For its part, Sabine Theobald, strategic relations coordinator and expert in the team of Global Zero Waste, will provide a perspective focused on the operational implementation of these standards in different regulatory environments. It will analyze how standardization can be adapted to diverse regulatory frameworks without losing technical rigor, demonstrating that methodological consistency is an enabler of competitiveness and an essential condition for building systemic trust in the circular economy.

InnovationThe technological ands implementation.Measurable

For years, the conversation about plastics focused on technological innovation, quality of recovered material, efficiency of mechanical versus chemical recycling and the transformation capacity of new plants. Today the challenge is different: to ensure that what is presented as circular can be demonstrated under technical criteria.

When standards are not aligned, ambiguities arise, real costs are distorted and the confidence of investors and buyers is weakened. In a context of volatility and international competition, operational clarity on how to measure, who certifies and under what criteria is crucial.

The circular economy has entered a phase of maturity. It is no longer just a matter of declaring commitments, but of structuring systems that make it possible to measure performance, recognize equivalencies and sustain competitiveness.

Under this approach, Global Zero Waste, a leading organization in international standards for circular economy, and Cercarbono, an expert in climate change mitigation mechanisms, have consolidated a strategic alliance to develop the Circular Economy Voluntary Program. This program is a robust market instrument that facilitates the recovery of materials throughout the value chain by trading Circular Credits, which finance environmental reduction and recirculation services. The integrity of this ecosystem is supported by the technological platform of EcoRegistry, which uses blockchain technology to ensure transparency, traceability and security in the registration of projects, avoiding double counting and allowing the international transfer of credits with total confidence for investors and buyers.

Participate in the conversation that will define the prós maximum decada

GO CIRCULAR will bring together regulators, investors and leaders from the textile and plastics industry's leading materials processing and management industries to move towards a verifiable circular economy.

Be part of the conversation - see you in Mannheim!

The transition to a circular economy is no longer a conceptual debate; it is a structural necessity for territories seeking competitiveness, resilience and real sustainability. It is in this context that the Global Circular Economy Summit - NOVA NEXT SUMMIT, This initiative positions Ibagué as the regional and international epicenter of strategic dialogue on sustainability.

On April 21, 22 and 23, 2026, the city will be the stage where this vision will be translated into concrete action. For three days, it will bring together leaders from the public and private sectors, multilateral banks, international organizations, academia, entrepreneurs and decision makers to advance the real implementation of circular economic models.

The Summit is organized by Clean Ibagué, under the direction of Milton Restrepo  and is supported by ANDESCO, the guild that is driving the circular economy to another level, in addition to a wide network of strategic partners, institutional allies, bi-national chambers, European innovation platforms and actors of the business and environmental ecosystem.

Under the principle of “local actions with a global vision”, the Summit is projected as a platform for multisectoral articulation that connects governments, the private sector, multilateral banks, academia, international organizations, entrepreneurs and civil society.

In this scenario, Global Zero Waste participates as a Strategic Partner, joining this initiative from its experience in the implementation of the Global Zero Waste Standard, with a focus on standardization, measurement and technical verification. Within the framework of this participation, Sandra Pinzón, Founder & CEO of the organization, will serve as a juror for the Startup Europe Awards and will be part of a panel on successful experiences in circularity, contributing to the strengthening of the technical and international component of the event.

From COP30 to Ibagué: a process that transcends the event

The Summit is not an isolated event. Its development began with the Pre-Summit held within the framework of COP30 in Belém (Amazon), where the Manifesto of Mayors, Governors and Elected Officials for the Glocal Circular Economy was signed. This declaration consolidated territorial commitments in climate action and circular economy under ESG criteria, positioning the voice of municipalities in global climate governance scenarios.

The presentation of the manifesto in the COP30 Green Zone strengthened international dialogue and opened a concrete path for cooperation between territories, multilateral organizations and private actors.

This milestone marks the beginning of a structural agenda that will continue in April 2026 in Ibagué, Colombia.

A summit designed to generate real impact

The central edition of the Glocal Summit will bring together more than 800 national and international attendees and will include representation from more than 20 countries. However, its true value lies not only in the numbers, but in the strategic architecture of its agenda.

During three days, a high-level academic program will be developed with more than 30 panels and technical conferences, focused on multilateral financing, eco-circular free zones, open innovation, waste management, water, energy transition and regenerative territorial models.

In parallel, the trade show and the Green Business Fair will open a concrete space for business relations, investment attraction and the generation of public-private alliances. Strategic networking and institutional spaces will allow for high-level conversations among decision makers.

The Summit will also include the ceremony of the Ibagué Startup Europe Awards, The city's innovation challenges applied to wastewater management, organic waste valorization and Waste2PropTech solutions, consolidating the city as a laboratory of circular economy.

Ibagué: a territory that transforms its history into circular leadership

Ibagué is not a circumstantial venue; it is a territory that has decided to lead the circular transition from action. It is projected as the first Ecocircular Free Trade Zone in America and as a municipal Living Lab in good circular economy practices. The department of Tolima advances in pioneering governance with its Regional Circular Economy Pact, strengthening its sustainable vocation in tourism, culture and agribusiness.

The Summit will be held in an emblematic place of the city: the Panopticon Museum of Ibagué, a historic space that symbolizes transformation, memory and territorial resignification. This scenario, which went from being an incarceration center to become a cultural and architectural reference, coherently represents the spirit of the circular economy: transforming traditional structures into regenerative models with purpose.

Holding the Summit in this strategic location not only adds heritage and symbolic value, but also strengthens the central message of the event: territories can reinvent themselves, innovate and lead sustainable development processes based on their own identity.

More than sponsorship: strategic positioning

The Summit sponsorship model is designed to align visibility with purpose. From Official Sponsorships to themed sponsorships, premium networking experiences and ESG activations, companies can associate their brand with a stage of technical, institutional and business leadership.

It is not only about brand presence, but also about integration into a platform for territorial transformation.

Global Zero Waste: active commitment to circular transition

Global Zero Waste is proud to assume our role as Strategic Partner of the Global Circular Economy Summit - NOVA NEXT SUMMIT.

Our participation reaffirms our commitment to the implementation of the Zero Waste model, traceability of materials, extended producer responsibility and the construction of circular business ecosystems.

We believe that sustainability must be translated into metrics, management and measurable results. For this reason, we accompany spaces that not only promote dialogue, but also generate roadmaps, institutional articulation and real opportunities for investment and innovation.

The circular economy is a systemic transformation, and this Summit represents a turning point for the territories that decide to lead it.

Be part of the change

The Global Circular Economy Summit - NOVA NEXT SUMMIT will be held in April 2026 in Ibagué, Colombia.

If you are a businessman, institutional leader, investor, academic or entrepreneur committed to sustainable transition, this is the space to connect with strategic actors and build impact alliances.

Last January 21, Promoambiental District marked a milestone in the environmental management of the public sanitation sector by receiving the Zero Waste Management System Certification in Gold category, granted by ICONTEC. With this achievement, the company becomes one of the pioneering organizations in the public sanitation service sector in Bogota to achieve this recognition, consolidating its position as a benchmark in sustainability and circular economy at the city level.

This certification validates the implementation of a comprehensive circular economy model, focused on enhancing the management of waste generated internally in its operations base. Through strategies to reduce the consumption of resources, reuse of materials, separation at source and responsible waste management, Promoambiental District demonstrates that sustainability, when strategically integrated into operations, generates real, measurable and verifiable results.

In a context in which industrial sustainability demands ever greater technical rigor, traceability and verifiable results, Virutex Ilko is consolidating its position as a regional benchmark in the integration of the circular economy into the production processes of the household industry. Its model demonstrates that it is possible to articulate operational efficiency, innovation in materials and environmental responsibility under the same corporate strategy.

This commitment was recognized last December 9, during our Zero Waste Recognition Gala, the organization was distinguished as a Platinum Affiliate of the Zero Waste Management System, after maintaining for three consecutive years its certification granted by Icontec, highlighting its achievements and strategy, sustained over time and aligned with international standards.

Waste management in sectors of high operational complexity, such as passenger transportation, has ceased to be an environmental compliance action and has become a strategic efficiency metric. During the recent Zero Waste International Awards, held virtually on December 9, the case of Blanco y Negro Masivo was highlighted as a benchmark of this transition.

Sandra Pinzón, Global Zero Waste CEO, pointed out how the implementation of the Zero Waste Management System (SGZW) has enabled the organization to mitigate operational risks and consolidate its sustainable leadership in the region.

The Concession ALO South, The project, an emblematic infrastructure project that transforms connectivity and mobility in the south and west of Bogotá, has been a milestone not only in terms of road engineering, but also in sustainable waste management.

From Global Zero Waste, ALO South is proud to be certified in the Zero Waste Management System Gold category, a recognition awarded by ICONTEC, with the technical support of Global Zero Waste. This achievement consolidates ALO Sur's position as the first road concession in the world in achieving this level of excellence in sustainability under a Zero Waste approach.

What is ALO Sur? A project with social, economic and environmental impact

The Concession ALO Sur S.A.S. leads the development, operation and maintenance of the project. Avenida Longitudinal de Occidente - Southern Section (ALO Sur), a concessioned roadway corridor designed to improve mobility between Chusacá (Sibaté) and the Calle 13 in Bogota.

The project contemplates the intervention of more than 24.5 kilometers of track, The project has integrated functional units for construction, rehabilitation and operation, as well as bridges, bike paths, public spaces and more efficient transit systems, benefiting millions of the region's inhabitants.

ALO South is distinguished by a integral vision, The company's modern engineering is combined with practices of social responsibility, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, generating positive impacts on mobility, road safety and the quality of life of the communities.

September 2025, Softys Mexico reached a new milestone in its commitment to sustainability: the achievement of the Zero Waste Certification in Silver categorygranted by ICONTEC, with the technical support of Global Zero Waste.

This recognition was awarded to the plants of Altamira and Valley of Mexico, after a specialized evaluation that verified the compliance with the requirements of the International Zero Waste Management Systems Standard - Version 5, achieving a rating of 77.72 out of 100 points.

What does this certification mean?

Zero Waste Certification recognizes organizations that transform their waste management into a sustainable and comprehensive strategy that not only reduces environmental impacts, but also promotes:

• Resource optimization

• Waste prevention and reduction at source

• Valorization and recirculation of materials

• Environmental education and culture within the organization

• Alignment with global circular economy goals

At Softys Mexico, these components are evidenced in the consolidation of internal training programs, awareness campaigns, improvements in operational processes and clear strategies for the circularity of materials.

In a world that demands measurable results in sustainability, companies can no longer be satisfied with just good intentions. Today, the circular economy is becoming a strategic model for transforming waste into value opportunities, combining environmental, social and economic impact.

With this vision, the Voluntary Programme on Circular Economy, a joint initiative between Cercarbono and Global Zero Waste, which seeks to turn circularity into a tangible driver of business transformation.

A new model for a new time

Faced with the increase in plastic waste and the need to strengthen sustainable management models, the Voluntary Circular Economy Program has emerged as a way to collaborative solution that connects innovation, traceability and economic benefit.

Beyond an environmental commitment, this program represents a clear roadmap for organizations wishing to demonstrate real, certifiable results aligned with the environmental goals. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The circular economy is not just about recycling, it's about transforming waste into new value opportunities.”

A tool for transforming corporate sustainability

The program is designed as a financial and technical instrument, which allows companies to registering, verifying and certifying projects that apply circular strategies such as the recycling of plastic materials.

Its structure includes a methodologys standardizeds, The project management system, model templates for project registration and implementation, monitoring tools, and a reporting system aligned with the SDGs, ensuring transparency, traceability and credibility at each stage of the process.

How does the program work?

The process is clear, agile and designed to facilitate the participation of organizations of different sizes and sectors:

Project registration: companies register their initiatives on the official platform EcoRegistry.
Validation and independent verification: an authorized body validates and verifies the information and ensures technical compliance.
Certification: the program grants the corresponding certification, endorsed by the alliance Cercarbon - Global Zero Waste.
Issuance of plastic credits: each validated, verified and certified project can generate plastic credits that can be used for monetize or are reported as part of sustainability management.

Benefits for participating companies

Participating in the Voluntary Circular Economy Program represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen reputation, consolidate environmental leadership and generate economic value.

Reinforced credibility: validation and verification by independent bodies approved by the program.
Transparency and traceability: verifiable management of each circular action.
Direct contribution to the SDGs: alignment with international standards.
Business positioning: recognition as a leader in circular economy.
Financial remuneration: possibility of earning income from the sale of circular credits.

“The value of what we do is not just in what we recycle, but in how we transform each action into measurable impact.”

An invitation to companies that are ready to take the next step

The future of corporate sustainability will depend on those who succeed in connecting your environmental strategies with verifiable and cost-effective management models.

The Voluntary Programme on Circular Economy is an opportunity to make it happen: to demonstrate that sustainability is not only a responsibility, but a smart business decision.

“Make your project become a benchmark of circular economy.”

Enter to www.globalzerowaste.org and discover how your organization can certify its impact and be part of the movement that is redefining sustainability in Latin America and the world.