Sustainable Recycling Industries Programme – Colombia

Example Principle 1: Set the agenda together

What was the project about?

The overall objective of the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) Programme is to establish enabling framework conditions that support the development of a sustainable recycling industry for e-waste and related waste streams. Taking into account the status of existing e-waste management systems in the participating countries, the programme’s activities were designed to strengthen governance frameworks, enhance capacity building, and promote the adoption of appropriate technologies. To achieve these goals, the SRI Programme structured its interventions around four key thematic areas: Policy, Business, Normative Frameworks, and Problematic Fractions.

How was the partnership structured?

The Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) Programme financed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is an international initiative that has made significant strategic contributions over the past 12 years toward promoting the circularity of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) across several countries. The Programme in Colombia was implemented in two distinct phases: Phase 1, conducted between [2013 and 2017], and Phase 2, implemented between [2019 and 2023], each involving different partner organizations. This Practice Example focuses specifically on the countries and partners engaged during Phase 2 of the SRI Programme with the implementation countries in Colombia, Peru, Egypt, Ghana and South Africa. Furthermore, the collaboration established in Colombia is presented in greater detail as a representative case study.

Since when did the partnership exist?

Switzerland has long been actively engaged in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) management to address the growing global e-waste challenge. In 2003, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) launched the pioneering Swiss e-Waste Programme, which established cooperative partnerships to strengthen e-waste management systems in India, China, South Africa, Colombia, and Peru. In the case of Colombia, this initial programme was implemented between 2009 and 2012.

Building on the achievements of this initial initiative, SECO introduced the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) Programme in 2013, adopting a more comprehensive and systemic approach. The SRI Programme aims to promote the sustainable integration of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from developing and transition economies into the global secondary resource recycling market. Through collaboration with leading experts and the establishment of strong partnerships among governments, industry, and civil society, the programme seeks to generate long-term, sustainable impact in the e-waste management sector.

What concrete steps did you take to set the agenda together?

One of the project’s greatest achievements was bringing together all key stakeholders and empowering each of them to play their specific role. Building trust among the parties was essential. Before the SRI project began, key stakeholders, including the Ministry, private industry, and waste collectors had never collaborated directly. Establishing trust among these diverse actors was therefore a critical first step. Through open dialogue and shared decision-making, the project succeeded in aligning their interest and defining a common goal. This collective understanding became essential for the project's success and for building a sustainable, cooperative framework for the future. This was a long process that took several years

What specific methods, tools, or processes were employed?

The solution was to gather everyone around the same table. Everything started already through the Swiss e-waste programme, where all local partners were part of the Technical Committee on WEEE from 2009 to 2013. During this period, they contributed to the drafting of Law 1672 and successfully achieved the institutionalization of this Committee, which was established in the Law as the National WEE Committee (Articles 11 to 13) . This law formalized the collaboration among four ministries, recycling companies, producer representatives, and international stakeholders.

The committee met in person every two months (and it is still meeting after the finalization of the SRI project), fostering dialogue, transparency, and mutual trust, turning what began as a fragmented effort into a coordinated national initiative.

Did you encounter any challenges when setting the agenda? How were they resolved?

Yes, one of the main challenges encountered during the project was building trust among the different stakeholders. For instance, it was essential for the project to gather data from the various stakeholders. Initially, there was skepticism regarding the project’s intentions. To address this, the SRI project team made clear that it was a neutral and transparent position, emphasizing that the SRI project did not serve any specific interest but rather aimed to benefit the system as a whole.

In parallel, significant effort was devoted to securing the commitment and goodwill of each stakeholder group. By fostering mutual respect, highlighting each actor’s contribution, and ensuring impartial facilitation, the project was able to overcome mistrust and build a strong foundation for collaboration.