Paraguay recorded investments exceeding $170 million in the circular economy sector in the last year alone. The amount was deployed by companies associated with the Paraguayan Chamber of Sustainable Industries (Cispy) in infrastructure, technology, and capacity expansion for recycling and waste recovery.
According to Cispy president Carlos Mangabeira, the sector already recovers and recycles more than 215,000 tons of valuable materials annually, including plastics, paper, glass, metals, used tires, and electronic waste. He noted that five years ago, recycling of some of these materials, such as end-of-life tires and long-life packaging, was virtually nonexistent in the country, but today local companies are already performing this recovery.
The chamber currently brings together 19 companies, including recyclers Yaguareté (paper and cardboard), Brassur (metals), and Coresa (plastics). The impact extends throughout the supply chain, generating more than 7,000 direct jobs and involving approximately 25,000 waste pickers and 130,000 people in material recovery through more than 2,500 collection centers.
Beyond industrial progress, Mangabeira highlighted increased collaboration between the private sector and public institutions to promote circular economy policies. One example is the Circular Economy Driving Group (GIEC), created by presidential decree and led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), which already includes participation from more than 58 companies.
Companies adopting sustainable practices are able to reduce consumption of raw materials, energy, and water, optimizing processes and strengthening their competitiveness. In 2025, companies represented by Cispy exported more than $200 million, demonstrating that sustainability is also good business.