Albina Ruiz

Environmental engineer revolutionizing waste management in Peru

Albina Ruiz (born 1959) created Healthy City, a groundbreaking system transforming urban waste management across Latin America. Starting from Lima's slums in 1984, she developed micro-enterprise models empowering 10,000+ informal recyclers through her "Integrated Solid Waste Management" approach.

Her circular economy solutions divert 800+ tons daily from landfills while creating green jobs. The ECOINS program incentivizes 200,000+ families to recycle through supermarket voucher rewards.

Key Achievements:

• First Latin American to win UNEP Champions of the Earth (2006)
• Implemented in 12 countries through WHO partnerships
• Developed biodegradable packaging alternatives with MIT D-Lab