The Galápagos Islands have achieved a significant milestone in waste management by recycling a total of 60,000 used tires under the Galápagos Free of Used Tires 2026 initiative, spearheaded by Seginus with the support of partners such as Metropolitan Touring. The announcement, made on February 5th in Guayaquil, coincided with the arrival of six containers containing over 2,000 tires, contributing to the impressive recycling total that includes more than 58,000 tires recycled by December 2025.

The year 2025 marked a record high for the recycling program, with more than 20,000 tires processed, greatly exceeding the amounts recorded in previous years. This success highlights the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among public and private sectors in addressing environmental issues related to waste management in the Galápagos. The program has been in operation since 2019 and has consistently aimed at reducing the environmental impact of used tires in this sensitive ecosystem.

The recycling initiative involves multiple stakeholders, including the GAD of Santa Cruz, the port operator Seporgalsa, and the shipping company Pacific Cargo Line, all crucial for managing the logistics of transporting the processed tires from Galápagos. By addressing the challenge of tire waste, the program not only contributes to sustainability but also supports the preservation of the unique biodiversity found in the Galápagos Islands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site.