The third edition of the International Circular Economy Forum in the Dominican Republic, held in Santo Domingo from October 29 to 30, was a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and share initiatives aimed at building a more inclusive and sustainable economic model.
Organized by Deuman, with the support of UNDP and the embassies of Sweden, Norway, and Finland as co-hosts, the event brought together workshops, panels, and exhibitions that highlighted the importance of best practices to boost the circular economy.
During the event, the Nordic Afternoon session provided a space for dialogue on how circular economy models can evolve into profitable business opportunities, encouraging the private sector to become a driving force for employment, investment, and innovation within sustainable value chains.
Representing Fundación Genera ITM and ITM Group, Edza Sánchez, Project Socialization Coordinator, and Martín Serrano, Environmental Management Officer in the Dominican Republic, participated in the Lightning Talk “Ideas that Close the Circle: Business Innovation in Action,” where they shared the progress of the Ports and Circular Communitiesprogram.
Fundación Genera ITM
Since 2024, Fundación Genera ITM has served as a bridge between cruise ports and the communities where they operate, closing gaps and driving sustainable development.
Its work is structured around three main pillars:
• Sustainable Tourism: comprehensive training and education programs focused on cruise tourism.
• Community Development: promotion of education, culture, sports, and social integration as fundamental rights.
• Ocean Protection: active commitment to plastic reduction and marine conservation through flagship programs.
Ports and Circular Communities
The Ports and Circular Communities program is implemented from the construction phase through the operation of the ports, integrating sustainability criteria at every stage.
It is part of ITM Group’s global commitment to responsible tourism and ocean protection.
Key actions include eliminating plastic from daily operations, proper waste management, continuous staff training, and forming alliances with governments, businesses, and environmental organizations.
Thanks to these efforts, over 80% of employees have received environmental training, participated in workshops on ocean pollution, and joined beach cleanups, collecting more than 5 tons of waste.
The program also fosters social participation through dialogue tables and collaborative workshops, where local partners share ideas to build sustainable solutions.
In its first phase, the initiative worked with neighborhoods near the ports and their community leaders in house-to-house plastic waste collection campaigns.
One of the program’s major achievements was the first “Reciclatón” in Puerto Plata, where over 3,000 school kits were exchanged for PET and HDPE plastic bottles, promoting environmental education among children in the community.
And what happens to all that collected plastic?
The more than 2 tons gathered are delivered to CILPEN Global, a partner company that reintroduces the materials into the production chain. Through this process, waste is transformed into sustainable clothing, even showcased on runways in Honduras and Spain.
More than just an event, the Forum was an invitation to rethink how we produce, consume, and interact with our environment.
For ITM Group and Fundación Genera ITM, the discussions and experiences shared reaffirm our commitment to continue working—across every platform and initiative—toward an economy that cares for both people and the planet.
