Marisol Espinoza

Peruvian engineer and advocate pioneering waste-to-energy solutions in informal settlements

Marisol Espinoza is an environmental engineer transforming waste management in Lima's informal settlements through her company Energía Zero. Born in a marginalized community, she developed a passion for sustainable solutions while studying at Universidad de Ingeniería in Lima. Her breakthrough came in 2021 with the invention of the Biogás Móvil, a mobile biodigestor unit that converts organic waste into biogas and fertilizer on-site.

These portable units, deployed in over 150 communities by 2024, have reduced landfill waste by 70% while providing affordable cooking fuel. Espinoza's community-centered approach ensures local technicians are trained to maintain the systems, creating 300+ jobs in underserved areas. The project's success led to a partnership with UN-Habitat in 2023 to expand to 10 additional countries across Latin America.

What distinguishes Espinoza's work is its triple impact: environmental sustainability through waste reduction, economic empowerment through local employment, and health improvements by reducing smoke inhalation from traditional fuels. Her Sustainable Cities Network initiative connects informal settlements with urban planners to integrate waste systems into city infrastructure.

Ambassador for the 2022 Global Waste Summit, Espinoza advocates for policy frameworks that recognize informal sector contributions to sustainability. Her documentary "Waste Not Want Not" (2023) highlights the potential of community-led solutions. By 2025, her vision is to have 50% of Lima's informal settlements using decentralized waste-to-energy systems, proving that sustainability and social justice can be achieved hand-in-hand.