Barranquilla’s Gran Bazar Market Pioneers Organic Waste Treatment in Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia is taking a significant step towards sustainability with the implementation of the first Organic Waste Treatment Plant at the Gran Bazar public market. The plant processes up to 3 tons of organic waste daily, transforming it into valuable resources and reducing landfill disposal, a project spearheaded by Mayor Alejandro Char.

A Circular Economy in Action

Mayor Char emphasized the initiative’s contribution to a cleaner and more efficient Barranquilla, aligning with the principles of a circular economy. “Every waste that previously ended up in the landfill today can become an opportunity. With this plant we are transforming the way we manage waste in our markets and moving towards a more sustainable city,” he stated.

Collaboration for a Cleaner Barranquilla

The City Manager, Ana María Aljure, highlighted the collaborative effort with recyclers, resulting in reduced garbage and increased resource utilization at the Gran Bazar market. This partnership contributes to a cleaner and more gorgeous Barranquilla.

How the Plant Works

The plant utilizes mills and integrates bioconversion and anaerobic digestion technologies to process organic waste. Bioreactors are employed to convert waste into biogas and liquid fertilizer (Biol), reducing environmental impact and creating value from previously discarded materials. The plant incorporates a system utilizing black soldier fly larvae, which can reduce the initial organic waste material by up to 70%, generating nutrient-rich biomass and usable byproducts.

Outputs and Benefits

The waste treatment process yields several valuable outputs:

• Biogas: Capable of generating electrical energy equivalent to the consumption of 200 to 250 homes.
• Biol: A liquid fertilizer that enhances agricultural productivity.
• Compost & Organic By-products: Strengthening soil fertility.

Addressing a Long-Standing Challenge

Historically, the accumulation of organic waste has been a major environmental challenge in public markets. This plant aims to improve sanitary conditions, optimize waste management, and foster a culture of separation and reuse among merchants and citizens.

Strengthening the Recycling Network

This initiative aligns with a comprehensive solid waste management approach prioritizing prevention, reuse, and utilization before final disposal. The project also strengthens the work of the city’s recyclers ex officio, recognizing their crucial role in the waste utilization chain.

‘Barranquilla Clean and Beautiful’ Initiative

Through the ‘Barranquilla clean and beautiful’ strategy, the Mayor’s Office is formalizing, training, and strengthening over 30 associations of waste pickers and 4,500 individual waste pickers, acknowledging their environmental and social contributions to a more sustainable city. The coordination between recyclers, market vendors, and new waste treatment technologies improves source separation, increases material utilization, and generates new economic opportunities for those involved in waste recovery.