Movistar Arena: the first sustainable venue with Zero Waste Management System Certification

Entertainment in Colombia reaches a new milestone. Movistar Arena continues to consolidate its environmental sustainability and social responsibility work by obtaining Zero Waste certification, becoming the first entertainment venue in the country to reach this recognition. The achievement validates its circular economy model, based on waste reduction, the responsible use of resources and positive social impact beyond the stage.

This certification recognises organisations that implement comprehensive systems to prevent, separate, recover and return waste to new production cycles, minimising final disposal. In the case of Movistar Arena, it shows how the entertainment industry can become a driver of environmental value and sustainable development for the country.

Waste management and circular economy

During June 2026, the venue reached 96.3% waste recovery. These results are possible thanks to its Zero Waste Management System, which brings together a value chain of specialist partners:

• Recyclable waste: managed together with the Asociación Recuperando Materiales Reciclables de Kennedy (Remarek). All donated materials strengthen the income of local waste-picker families.

• Organic waste: turned into compost with Más Compost, Menos Basura.

Across 2025, the strategy made it possible to recover 129.3 tonnes of material (glass, PET, aluminium, cardboard and organics) and cut waste sent to landfill by 49.4%.

"Obtaining Zero Waste certification means far more than a recognition. It confirms that entertainment can become a platform for environmental, social and economic transformation. Our purpose is for every event to leave a positive legacy for Colombia, driving the circular economy, strengthening communities and raising the industry's sustainability standard", said Luis Guillermo Quintero, general manager of Movistar Arena.

Social impact: an alliance with the Wayuu community against hunger

Movistar Arena's commitment goes beyond environmental management. Its sustainability strategy brings together water efficiency, energy transition, ecosystem restoration and social development.

As part of Todos Juntos (a mobilisation led by ABACO), the venue joined the Banco de Hilos de La Guajira, a programme run by the Food Bank of the Diocese of Riohacha that connects the cultural wealth of Wayuu indigenous artisans with income generation and food security. The initiative matters especially in a context where more than 432,000 children under five suffer chronic malnutrition in the country.

As part of this alliance:

1. The handwoven bags are given as the official gift to the national and international artists who perform at the venue.

2. Buying these pieces guarantees fair payment to the artisans and supplies the materials they need to keep producing.

3. The funds support family nutrition and the region's network of social programmes.

The programme currently benefits 849 artisans in Riohacha, Manaure, Uribia and Maicao (529 of them in the active network of producers) and supports nine community kitchens serving 174 children through the APT (Alimentos Para Todos) intervention.

"Every Wayuu bag given to an artist is a chance to make these communities' work visible, preserve their craft tradition and project Colombia's cultural wealth to the world. Above all, it represents our commitment to the fight against hunger in Colombia", said Carlos Yepes, commercial and marketing manager of Movistar Arena.

Movistar Arena's key sustainability figures

• Zero Waste certification: the only entertainment venue in Colombia with this distinction.

• 96.3% waste recovery in June 2026.

• 129.3 tonnes of materials recovered in 2025.

• 49.4% reduction in waste sent to landfill in 2025.

• More than COP 49.8 million paid to waste-picker families in 2025.

• 18,000 trees planted in Cundinamarca and La Guajira as of June 2026.

• 1,425,000 litres of rainwater harvested in 2025.

• 30,600 litres of ice recovered for operational processes in 2025.

• 7.2% reduction in water use per attendee (2025).

• 6.8% reduction in energy use per attendee (2025).

• 849 Wayuu artisans linked to the social project.

• 174 children supported through community kitchens.

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