Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Republic, visited two units of the Recycling Business Group (GER) in the Havana municipality of Regla on Tuesday, where he learned about the transformations implemented to increase exports and income and contribute to solving the solid waste problem, Presidency sources reported.

The president toured the Alfredo Ramonal Base Business Unit, dedicated to the processing and sorting of non-ferrous waste, and spoke with workers about the entity’s conditions.

Sadie Jiménez Condés, director of the UEB, stated that the head of state took an interest in work organisation and wage conditions.

«Here there is no fluctuation; rather, the workforce is always covered and they are very happy with their salary, which motivates them to continue,» the director affirmed.

With an average salary of 40,000 pesos and profits exceeding three million up to May, Díaz-Canel insisted on improving processes, improving conditions and addressing the needs of workers, such as housing.

The director explained that they plan to raise the quality of production processes.

«For example, copper will be crushed with a machine we have planned. We are going to provide electrical autonomy to the can processing plant,» she noted.

The raw materials processed at the UEB are marketed with added value to the Desequip Company, which is responsible for exports.

At that entity, the President received information about a local waste management system implemented in Havana.

Marian Herrera Delgado, a specialist at the Havana Raw Material Recovery Company, specified that the new system seeks to increase recovery through better organisation of processes, without large investments or an increase in the workforce.

In the first months of implementation, export income has increased, although aspects such as the use of a mobile application and the participation of the community and non-state economic actors still need improvement.

GER directors reported that the system is planned to be extended to the rest of the provinces.

Díaz-Canel assessed that this innovation, based on better organisation of waste disposal, collection and processing, means turning waste into millions in revenue for the national economy.

The President stressed the need for greater organisation at the neighbourhood level and for individuals, companies and state and private institutions to be aware of contracts and collection points, to steer the system towards waste sorting and give value to what many consider useless waste.

This tour is part of the president’s weekly visits to entities linked to food production, the recovery of the electricity system, digital transformation, energy transition and electric transport, strategic sectors for the country’s development.