Cali's waste management in crisis as operator contracts expire

Cali faces ongoing uncertainty regarding its waste management services following the non-renewal of contracts for four key operators in January. These companies had been subcontractors for Emsirva, a company now in liquidation, for nearly two decades, handling approximately 95% of the city's waste collection.

The situation has left residents and users unsure about current service providers, payment methods, and the companies responsible. While five new operators have joined the four existing ones, bringing the total to nine, the core issue of who is responsible for service and payment remains complex. The four original operators argue they continue to provide services under free market competition.

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the operators did not take the option to continue with the contracts and that it was not the company that did not renew them

Emsirva, in its liquidation process, has escalated the matter to the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC). The company filed a complaint and requested precautionary measures against Ciudad Limpia Bogotá, Promoambiental Cali, Promoambiental Valle, and Veolia Aseo Cali. Emsirva seeks the return of its database of 800,000 users, which it claims the operators are withholding.

Emsirva's liquidator stated that the operators did not opt to continue their contracts and that the operation was set to conclude on June 30. However, the operators countered in interviews that the contracts were not extended by Emsirva. The city's waste management crisis highlights a complex dispute over contracts, user data, and service provision.

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there was no condition