Low Diversion
Federal solid waste planning materials have reported Puerto Rico’s solid waste diversion at approximately less than 10 percent. That means too many recoverable materials still move toward disposal instead of recovery.
About CEDO
Why CEDO Exists
A nonprofit coordination platform helping Puerto Rico move from fragmented disposal practices toward organized environmental action, resource recovery, landfill diversion, and resiliency.
Our Story
Puerto Rico Needs a Stronger Environmental Structure
Puerto Rico has lived through hurricanes, earthquakes, a pandemic, infrastructure disruptions, and growing pressure on its landfill system. These events did not create the environmental challenge by themselves; they exposed a deeper reality that had already been developing for years.
Puerto Rico cannot depend on fragmented programs, isolated recycling efforts, emergency action after a crisis, or a system where recoverable materials continue to move toward landfills because coordination is weak.
The island needs a stronger environmental structure — one that connects municipalities, agencies, communities, nonprofits, recyclers, educators, donors, and private-sector capability into a practical system for resource recovery, recycling access, landfill diversion, and resiliency.
The Reality
The Challenge Is Structural
Landfill Pressure
Puerto Rico’s landfill system faces capacity and compliance pressures, while disaster debris and day-to-day disposal continue to reduce available landfill space.
Fragmented Systems
Environmental progress is limited when municipalities, agencies, nonprofits, communities, and private recovery partners operate without coordinated structure.
Resiliency Need
Hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disruptions have shown that solid waste, debris management, and resource recovery are part of Puerto Rico’s resiliency infrastructure.
Source context: EPA/FEMA solid waste management planning materials for Puerto Rico.
Our Mission
CEDO Is Not Built Around a Dream. It Is Built Around a Mission.
CEDO exists to help Puerto Rico move from fragmented disposal practices toward coordinated resource recovery, recycling access, landfill diversion, environmental education, sustainability planning, and community resiliency.
Our mission is to connect public needs with private-sector capability, nonprofit participation, educational outreach, qualified recovery partners, and community action. CEDO is not intended to replace municipalities, government agencies, recyclers, or community organizations. It exists to help align them around a shared environmental purpose.
This is who we are: a nonprofit coordination platform focused on environmental protection, sustainability, resiliency, landfill diversion, recycling access, and public-benefit collaboration.
Mindset Change
This Is Not a Quick-Fix Solution
CEDO recognizes that Puerto Rico’s environmental challenges will not be solved through a quick fix, a single project, or one isolated organization. The change required is deeper than infrastructure alone.
It requires a shift in mindset, participation, coordination, discipline, and shared responsibility. It will take time, trust, education, organization, and consistent action.
Shared Responsibility
No Single Sector Can Carry This Alone
Government is an essential partner, but government alone cannot carry the entire mission. Public agencies can provide policy, support, funding, permitting, and institutional alignment. Municipalities can identify local needs and community priorities.
Recyclers and industrial partners can provide technical capacity. Nonprofits, educators, volunteers, and civic organizations can build awareness, trust, and participation. Communities can help turn environmental responsibility into daily practice.
Where We Need to Go
A Coordinated Environmental Future for Puerto Rico
CEDO does not believe Puerto Rico’s future should depend only on disposal. We believe Puerto Rico can build a stronger system where materials are better documented, better directed, better recovered, and better managed before they become a greater burden on landfills, communities, and future generations.
Where Puerto Rico is today requires honesty. Where Puerto Rico needs to go requires organization. CEDO’s mission is to help build that bridge.
Together Is the Only Practical Path Forward.
Together is not just a message. It is the operating principle behind CEDO’s mission.