We must prevent the rivers and lakes of Ecuador from becoming even more polluted and all life in them from dying at any cost.

Juan David Alemán

Many young people find environmental destruction and the climate crisis – plus the associated societal inertia and ignorance – very distressing and frustrating. The fact that humans are not only affected by these crises but also co-contributors makes the situation even more challenging.  

28-year-old Juan David Alemán has found a way – or more precisely – a job and a business idea: to channel his frustration into something productive. In a planning office in Munich, the German-trained environmental engineer develops sponge city concepts for German cities, focusing on the intelligent reuse of rainwater. In his spare time, the Ecuadorian, along with his former university classmate Nicolas Neunhofer, launched the online marketplace “CIRVE”. This platform promotes the exchange and marketing of used and surplus building materials initially in the cities of Quito and Cuenca. The materials can be given at no cost, exchanged, or sold and purchased. Juan receives support for the development of his start-up from the GIZ initiative “Business Ideas for Development” (BID). 

Juan's business idea was born during his studies as he sat in a Berlin café completely made from reused or recycled materials – from the flooring and cables to the door handles. In his hometown Quito, the reuse of building materials is not yet widespread. However, Ecuador's growing economy is generating more and more landfills, with negative consequences for the environment and especially for rivers. What gives Juan hope is that recently Ecuador has included the protection of nature and the smarter use of resources in its constitution.  

The reuse of existing materials, which Juan's online marketplace “CIRVE” promotes, not only has positive effects on the environment in a world of finite resources, but also generates income for sellers and enables buyers to save money. This aspect is particularly relevant in the construction industry, as the prices for building materials have recently increased significantly. “Green is the new sexy”, says Juan. 

The Ecuadorian is also careful not to overstretch himself. He says: “I try to manage my resources well so that I don’t burn out.” He does not feel the pressure for his company to be perfect immediately. The journey is the goal. 

We can only address the crises of our time if we engage more intelligently with the economy, and think and act in cycles again. I feel that our society is currently at an important turning point, and I can help shape this change with my work and my business idea. I find that exciting and comforting.

Juan David Alemán