César Maldonado

Colombian social entrepreneur combating plastic pollution through recycling innovation

César Maldonado is the visionary behind Reciclar Colombia, a social enterprise that has diverted 12 million kg of plastic waste from landfills since 2012. Starting with a small workshop in Medellín, he developed a patented process to transform ocean plastic into durable building materials. His company's 'EcoBrick' product is now used in over 500 low-income housing projects, reducing construction costs by 30%. Maldonado's most impactful initiative is the 'Plastic Credit' system - a blockchain-based platform where corporations can purchase verified plastic removal credits. This has funded the cleanup of 80km of Caribbean coastline. His work earned him the 2021 Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the 'Green Nobel'. Through partnerships with UNICEF and the Colombian Navy, his team has trained 15,000+ recyclers in coastal communities. The company website features real-time tracking of plastic collected, and their documentary series educates global audiences about plastic pollution solutions.