Two projects presented by our students in the event titled "Premios Latinoamérica Verde 2018" (or "Green Latin American Awards") in the city of Guayaquil were chosen as one of the 500 best socio environmental projects. During this fifth edition there were 2733 projects from 713 cities and 38 countries.

 

The aim of the event is to promote a green economy by presenting several ideas in ten categories: water, forest and flora, biodiversity and fauna, human development, social inclusion and reduction of unfairness, energy, sustainable finance, urban management, management of solid waste, oceans, responsible production and consumption.

 

The general committee was made up by Jaime Nebot, mayor of Guayaquil, Nuno Quiroz, representative of PNUD, Gustavo Manrique, president of Premios Latioamerica Verde, and Jose Guarderas, director of Sambito.

 

The projects presented by students from our university were.

 

- Wastewater Treatment with Solar Photocatalysis using Solar Collectors. "Presents friendlier alternative to the environment and the health of its consumers, creating biodegradable filters of natural origin, which contains a seed inside that will give rise to a plant and thus reducing socio-environmental impacts, creating a correct final disposal of the cigarette end, the project ranked 42nd in the Water category. This project was presented by Jonathan Lincango, Johanna Mancero, Mikele Hinojosa, and professor Lenin Ramírez.

 

- "Fertimilk". Recover nutrients from milk serum by means of physical-chemical and biological treatments, for its use and commercialization of products of common use in animal and human food, as well as in the production of fertilizers. The project ranked 161st in the Management  of Solid Waste category. The members are Jéssica Guamán, Liseth Carlosama, Juan Francisco Morales and their tutor Carlos Jumbo.

 

- "BioDuo". Create a multifunctional machine to manage organic waste from the source to avoid operating expenses of the municipality, reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and production of leachates. The project was ranked 437 and 496 of the categories Solid Waste Management and Sustainable Cities. The members are Madison Herrera, Juan Andrés Valdez, Jéssica Pamela Herrera, and their tutor tutor Ximena Borja.

 

Guaman from the Fertmilk project said "we wanted to create a project that could impact experts in environment, we are very happy our project was recognized and we hope it is put into operation so it can benefit communities".

 

Finally, professor Jumbo from the environmental engineering undergraduate program, a member of the Ecology and Natural Resources Research Group (GERENA for its acronym in Spanish) and tutor of the project Fertimilk, said it was great for students to participate in this international event so they can receive recognitions and also get to know companies that can support their cause.