Simon Bolivar park will be the first carbon neutral scenario in Latin America

Simon Bolivar park, the first carbon neutral park in Latin America.
The strategy “If to the Simon Bolivar park I go, carbon neutral I am”, will implement four measures that seek the application of circular economies, taking advantage of the residue as source of generation of other products. Photo IDRD
Publicado:
11
Mar
2022
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The Sports and Recreation Institute (IDRD) working together with allied companies, launched the strategy “If to the Simon Bolivar park I go, carbon neutral I am” with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality in this iconic setting of Bogotá, the strategy seeks to improve the process of recycling and use of matter, and contribute to the mitigation of climate change in the city.

“We are thrilled to present this initiative that will turn the Simon Bolivar park in the first of it´s kind to be declared carbon neutral, this will allow us to fulfill the purpose of turning the city of Bogota even greener; which is part of our development plan”, said Blanca Duran director of the IDRD.

Learn the four implemented strategy measures that seek the application of circular economies, reusing waste as a source for generation of other products:

The first strategy is to produce flour from the biomass product of the management and control process of the invasive American red crab, Procambarus clarkii, turning it into a pathogen-free organic waste that can be used later in the production of fertilizers or as a food supplement for pets.

The second strategy consists of carrying out a biotransformation process that allows the generation of organic fertilizer from pet feces, capturing carbon; this fertilizer will return to the park for the edaphic fertilization processes of the trees.

The third strategy seeks to optimize the recycling processes of inorganic solid waste and its reincorporation into production chains, in such a way that the sources of pollution and emissions are reduced, and the material that reaches the landfill is minimized.

Finally, the fourthstrategy uses the plant´s biomass obtained from pruning grass and trees, as well as raw food waste generated by the park's food sales establishments, through the production of fertilizers made from a composting process.

All measures will be accompanied by a citizen culturization process to ensure that those involved actively, participate in the initiative. In addition, monthly measurements of the amount of biomass, feces and reused material will be carried out to estimate the reduction of emissions until the desired carbon neutrality is achieved.

A strategy developed in the hands of the recycling people of Bogota.

It should be noted that this initiative would not be possible without working together with the park's recyclers, who before, without an optimal recycling process, were exposed to health risks and had many difficulties separating the usable material, which at the time only reached 14%.

Now, the recyclers will have the possibility of entering the park with a bike-charger, which will facilitate their work from the moment the solid waste is deposited. In this way, it seeks to optimize their work, guaranteeing that at least 80% of waste is recycled, and improve the quality of life of the people who make this project possible.

The initiative has the participation of the companies: EcoPoop, Darnell, BioCirculo, Empacor and Gaiarec.