The project “Strategies for Integrated Waste Management in Port Terminals: Focus on the Circular Economy” is a pioneering initiative in Colombia to structurally transform waste management in ports through sustainable solutions, with a direct impact on climate change mitigation. Through collaborative work between academia and the port sector, this applied research initiative led to the development of a technical guide for port circularity, focused on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the efficient use of resources.
The study characterized five main types of waste generated in port operations: non-recoverable, recyclable, hazardous, organic, and large-volume, and designed specific strategies for each, using methodologies such as flow analysis, mass balance, and the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle. These data have allowed Palermo Sociedad Portuaria to optimize processes, reduce emissions associated with transportation and improper waste disposal, and establish a more efficient control system. Key achievements include a 27% reduction in sludge generation, savings of up to 84% in water consumption, and reduced logistics costs thanks to improved source segregation. Circular economy solutions were implemented, such as solid waste composting, energy recovery (fuel blending), biodigesters for organic sludge, electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) recovery, wood reuse for packaging, and circularity programs with big bin bags.
The guide includes an action framework based on the 9Rs of the circular economy, compliance with the MARPOL Convention, environmental indicators, and industrial symbiosis mechanisms that convert waste into inputs for other sectors, promoting new local value chains. This model is already used as a basis for achieving certifications such as Zero Waste and EcoPorts, and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDGs 12 and 13). Its high replicability allows other port terminals in Colombia and Latin America to adopt it, positioning ports not only as logistics centers but also as key players in the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.