Antonio Núñez
Colombian social entrepreneur who created the first recycling cooperative in Medellín's favelas
Antonio Núñez (b. 1975) emerged as a grassroots leader in Colombia's environmental movement. Growing up in Medellín's Comuna 13, he witnessed severe environmental degradation caused by informal waste dumping. In 1998, he founded Cooperar, a recycling cooperative that trained marginalized youth to collect and process recyclables. This initiative reduced waste in the area by 40% and provided income to over 300 families. Núñez's model inspired similar programs across Latin America, with 15 cooperatives established in Colombia alone by 2015. His work was documented in the award-winning documentary Recycled Life (2012), which highlighted how recycling creates social mobility. Partnering with international organizations like UNEP, he developed educational programs that trained 5,000+ youth in sustainable practices. Núñez's impact extends beyond environmental conservation - his cooperatives have decreased youth violence by 35% in participating communities through economic empowerment. His efforts were recognized with the 2018 Global Green Hero Award.
Literary Appearances
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