What is the circular economy and how is it related to the social economy?

The circular economy is based on the principle of reusing and recycling materials to minimize waste and maximize resource use. The social economy, on the other hand, seeks to generate a positive social impact, such as job creation and labor inclusion. La Hormiga Verde combines both, transforming electronic waste into raw materials while providing job opportunities to people in unemployment situations.

What are the main challenges that La Hormiga Verde faces in its operation?

La Hormiga Verde, like many startups, faces significant financial challenges, especially when starting without sufficient capital. Additionally, reliance on government aid for special employment centers can complicate its economic viability, as these aids are not always delivered promptly.

How does La Hormiga Verde measure its social and environmental impact?

La Hormiga Verde quantifies its impact through metrics such as the amount of waste recycled, energy and oil saved, and, most importantly, the hours of employment generated. These metrics reflect not only success in recycling but also the positive impact on the community by providing stable employment.

What type of electronic waste does La Hormiga Verde process?

La Hormiga Verde specializes in recycling a wide range of electronic waste, including computers, washing machines, televisions, and solar panels. The company has evolved to adapt to market needs, expanding its processing capacity beyond the initially planned devices.

What motivated Ignacio García Gamero to found La Hormiga Verde?

Ignacio García Gamero founded La Hormiga Verde after experiencing unemployment at the age of 45, which led him to reinvent himself and create a company that not only addressed electronic waste management but also provided employment to people in similar situations. His personal and professional experience in the biomass sector influenced his decision to venture into the circular economy.

Environment

Ignacio García Gamero

Founder — La Hormiga Verde

Why can circular and social economies advance hand in hand?

10:08·18 December 2025

This article was automatically translated from its original Español version. Read the original

Ignacio García Gamero is the founder of La Hormiga Verde, a circular economy and social integration company from Extremadura.

In Villafranca de los Barros (Badajoz), La Hormiga Verde transforms electronic waste into raw materials for a more sustainable future. The company was founded in 2018 with a dual purpose: to promote the circular economy and provide employment in a rural area, stemming from García Gamero's personal experience, as he found himself out of the job market at the age of 45.

“I realized that no one was going to hire me, so I had to create something myself,” he recalls. Starting from a small rented warehouse, the project grew to manage over 18,000 tons of waste per year, also incorporating solar panels, washing machines, and old televisions among the materials processed. Today, they are a team of nearly 50 workers.

The impact of La Hormiga Verde is measured not only in tons recycled but also in energy and emissions avoided, and above all, in hours of employment generated. The company demonstrates that sustainability can be a real pathway for labor inclusion and regional development.

Frequently asked questions

The circular economy is based on the principle of reusing and recycling materials to minimize waste and maximize resource use. The social economy, on the other hand, seeks to generate a positive social impact, such as job creation and labor inclusion. La Hormiga Verde combines both, transforming electronic waste into raw materials while providing job opportunities to people in unemployment situations.