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Dominican Republic: meeting with Capobianco, a pioneer in plastic waste processing
The path of a passionate entrepreneur
In the early part of his professional life, Fermin Capobianco, an agricultural engineer and forestry manager in the Dominican Republic, worked with wood as a raw material. He makes various objects and structures used mainly for agriculture, such as fences, enclosures and shelters.
Over the years, however, more and more regulations have been introduced to combat deforestation in the country. As a result, Fermin is forced to reconsider his business, which is becoming increasingly complicated. The country’s environmental situation and his ecological awareness prompted him to explore opportunities in plastic recycling.
In 2008, he decided to travel to Colombia to discover the country’s advances in plastics processing, and the possibilities that lay ahead. He learned that plastic, once processed, is as strong as wood, yet impervious to moisture, water, fire and the elements. It lasts up to 50 years, and can be repaired again and again. Fermin returned with a wealth of new knowledge, and saw the potential of going into business for himself.
In 2013, Fermin founded his company Capobianco Soluciones Ecológicas in his hometown. Initially, he specialized in the manufacture of waste garbage cans and sorting containers, which quickly became popular with schools, hotels and businesses throughout the Dominican Republic.
Later, the entrepreneur acquired various machines that enabled him to create street furniture such as public benches, school desks and any other object that could be useful in everyday life.
A project that helps local communities
Capobianco was one of the first companies of its kind in the Caribbean, and continues to grow as a leader in plastic processing. Fermin is also involved in the construction of houses made from recycled plastic, providing invaluable support to a number of local families.
Capobianco in figures…
- Production capacity of dozens of sheets and hundreds of profiles per day;
- Processing of around 1,000 tonnes of plastic per year;
- Creation of 12 local jobs in Santo Domingo;
- Projects and partnerships throughout the Dominican Republic.
The meeting with Capobianco Soluciones Ecológicas underlines the importance of innovation and recycling in combating environmental problems, but also in supporting local communities with limited resources. Fermin’s company also demonstrates that recycled plastic can be transformed into sustainable building materials, offering a promising solution to the region’s plastic waste problem.