Yuberj Quintero

Colombian environmentalist leading e-waste recycling initiatives that created green jobs and reduced pollution

Yuberj Quintero's Electronic Waste Revolution

Colombian engineer Yuberj Quintero pioneered Latin America's first community-based e-waste recycling network through his company EcoCircuitos. Since 2019, his projects have diverted 12,000 tons of electronic waste from landfills, recovering 2.5 tons of precious metals annually. This work directly addresses Colombia's 80,000 ton/year e-waste problem, where 90% previously went unprocessed.

Quintero's 'Recicla+App' connects informal recyclers with certified processing centers through a smartphone platform. This system provides fair payment for collected materials while ensuring safe handling. By 2024, the network included 3,000+ informal workers earning 40% above minimum wage. The initiative won the 2022 UN Environment Programme Award.

In 2023, his partnership with Bogotá's mayor's office established Colombia's first e-waste collection bins in 20 municipalities. This program diverted 15% more waste than previous systems through gamified citizen participation. Quintero's work is featured in MIT's Circular Economy Case Studies and the World Bank's 2024 Urban Sustainability Report.

His 2025 documentary 'Wires of Hope' traces the journey of 10 recyclers who gained formal employment through his programs. This work inspired similar initiatives in Peru and Ecuador. Yuberj's innovative model proves that combining technology with social inclusion can tackle environmental challenges while building sustainable livelihoods.