Andrés Felipe Arias

Revolutionized plastic waste management in Colombia through his AI-powered recycling platform

Andrés Felipe Arias (b. 1992) is a Colombian engineer whose startup EcoAprende has transformed waste management systems across Latin America. His 2021-launched Plastic2Cash app uses AI-powered image recognition to identify recyclable materials, providing instant recycling incentives through blockchain-based micro-transactions. This system increased plastic recycling rates by 340% in Medellín's pilot program, diverting 87 tons of waste from landfills in its first year.

Arias' innovation combines environmental science with behavioral economics. The app's gamified interface rewards users with cryptocurrency for sorting recyclables, while providing real-time data to municipalities. His team developed low-cost Raspberry Pi devices for informal recycling centers without internet access, expanding the system to 120+ Colombian towns by 2024. The platform now processes over 500,000 transactions monthly, creating income streams for 15,000+ informal recyclers.

Notable collaborations include partnerships with Coca-Cola Colombia to trace plastic lifecycle through blockchain and a UNDP-funded expansion into Peru's Amazon basin. Arias' 2023 documentary "La Economía Circular" (Circular Economy) received special mention at the Cartagena Film Festival. He was awarded the 2024 Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum and Colombia's National Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022.