MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
Raúl López Maldonado, MEnvM and Tainachí Fernández, MEnvM, CQA, founders of Puerto Rico Composta
Puerto Rico composta was created in February 2013 as a guideline for a master's degree project in Environmental Management that its founders were studying at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. The same impact around 100 households in the Maizales neighborhood of Naguabo, who began to create their own compost projects in their homes. "We saw the need that communities had to effectively manage the garbage in their homes and we launched our dream to impact not only that community, but our island Puerto Rico," clarified its founder, Raúl López.
Today, Puerto Rico Composta, Inc. is an environmental organization recognized for its efforts to educate the population about eco-friendly practices to reduce waste at its generation site. It has state tax exemption from the Department of the Treasury and 501c-3 certification from the federal government. "Our organization aspires to establish more public-private alliances that allow us to impact a greater number of the population inside and outside of PR," highlighted its founder, Ms. Fernández.
Puerto Rico Composta has around 15,000 followers on its Facebook page and has managed to establish eco-friendly compost generation zones in around 30 school campuses in Puerto Rico. In addition, it has some facilities in Bo. Mariana de Naguabo, from where it provides educational services to the community with almost 120 volunteers who stand out daily as collaborators.
Vision
Reduce solid waste in Puerto Rico. Positively impact society, through environmental education, so that each individual learns to live in a healthy and self-sustainable way, using compost as an organic and natural fertilizer to plant and harvest their own food. Promote food safety as a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative.
Mission
To be an organization that educates, guides, and raises awareness among individuals, communities, schools, and companies about the benefits and importance of reducing waste, carrying out eco-friendly practices of effective waste management such as recycling and composting.
Puerto Rico Composta Inc. believes that each individual or community has the potential to recycle their organic waste every day with the goal of reducing the waste that reaches our landfills. We understand the need that exists in Puerto Rico to efficiently manage garbage and the lack of space in our landfills. This has the short and long term result of a cleaner Puerto Rico with less garbage for the benefit of the family and communities on the island.
EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tainachí Fernández Roque, MEnvM,CQA
Executive director
She has a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus. Her master's degree is in Environmental Management from the Polytechnic University of PR. She has a certification as a Quality Auditor. He has worked as a Documentation Specialist in an industry for 15 years.
"Puerto Rico faces a crisis in the effective management of garbage. We should be concerned about a figure like 3.6 million tons of garbage per year on such a small island. From there comes my passion to work tirelessly so that people learn to carry carry out garbage reduction, reuse and recycling practices. Composting represents 40% of the garbage that is buried in our landfills and that we can transform into organic fertilizer."
OUR TEAM
Saymara Correa
Program Coordinator
and Community Outreach
Saymara is a multifaceted professional with extensive experience in Agroecology, Administration, Culinary Arts, and rescued animals. With an outstanding leadership record, she now shares her skills as a Program and Community Outreach Assistant at Puerto Rico Composta. Her dedication and passion for community service make her an invaluable asset in promoting sustainable practices and strengthening community ties in Puerto Rico.
Bianca Delgado
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Digital content creator and strategist
Graphic designer with more than 20 years of experience, passionate about design, technology, the environment and non-profit organizations committed to the improvement of Puerto Rico. In addition, it provides social network management and technical support.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Silvia Matos
President
Retired English teacher after 30 years of service with the Department of Education.
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"I like agriculture and everything that has to do with the farm. I had the best childhood that a Puerto Rican could have. I have traveled to many places and lived at sea for part of my youth."
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Isadely Román Hernández
Vocal
He has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology with a concentration in wildlife management from the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus, and a Master's Degree in Curriculum in Sciences from the University of Turabo. She has 16 years of experience as a Science Teacher, secondary level.
"Help educate the children and young people of our generation about the importance of conserving the environment."
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Carmen M. Velázquez González
SecretarY
She has a Bachelor's Degree in Preschool Education. She has been a health teacher at Colegio Héctor Urdaneta in Ceiba for 4 years.
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"My purpose within the organization is to collaborate on the organization's projects and encourage support and collaboration among students, teachers and the community towards composting, sowing and harvesting and seeing the enthusiasm of the children in the projects is something that I am passionate about. "
Bienvenido Cruz Cruz
Treasurer
He has a Certification in Commercial Advertising and Computer Programming. For the past 12 years he has been dedicated as a Special Education Student Assistant.
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"My purpose is to educate the community and study how to effectively manage waste and how to bring this message to my students. I am passionate about sowing and harvesting."