The circular economy and recycling are key to the future of the planet and our society. Under this concept, the Arica customs officers presented the project “Green Warehouse in Customs Management” to a national innovation competition and won third place, receiving as a prize an internship at the Federal Reserve of Brazil.
Green warehouse
Every year, the Civil Service and the Government Laboratory hold the “Innovation Works” Competition. In 2017, Arica customs officials presented a solution for the final disposal of goods seized for smuggling and intellectual property.
The idea was well received and the National Customs Service acquired metal storage shelves, forklifts and special machines that will chop the clothes for the start-up of the green warehouse whose mission is contribute waste that allows the generation of other products through recycling.
Meanwhile, the creators of the project and their tutors received an internship in a Latin American public institution as a prize. After the analysis, they chose the Federal Reserve of Brazil, dependent on the Ministry of Finance, where technological innovation and recycling are advanced.
From wine to alcohol gel
The Chilean customs delegation made up of Esteban Ortega, Pedro Olivares, Carlos Alvarez, Viviana Rebolledo and Julieta Toledo, learned about different Brazilian tax offices in the Foz de Iguazú sector and some experiences related to the knowledge management and continuous improvement, such as facial recognition software for travelers at airports or recycling wine and liquor to transform it into all-alcohol gel.
Indeed, the Wine and liquor seized by Brazilian customs is subjected to a process by the Cedeteg laboratory of the State University of the Center West of Paraná, where it is transformed into alcohol gel that is donated to various institutions in Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul and Santa Catarina.
The Regional Director of the Arica Customs Office, Hugo Yávar Oñate, highlighted the commitment of the officials and their desire to contribute to institutional development and added that the visit of the Chilean customs officers will serve as a benchmark for the improvement of processes and opened the possibility of strategic alliances.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
