Rafael Henry

Rafael Henrique has established himself as a leading figure in sustainable waste management and social entrepreneurship. After building a strong foundation in Electronics and Electrical Engineering with specializations in Design for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, he spent 10 years working on industrial automation and risk assessment for power plants across Latin America. Since 2006, he has focused on sustainability initiatives, and in 2011, transitioned to full-time social entrepreneurship. As Director and President of Instituto Recicleiros, he has led the organization to create 14 sorting centers across Brazil, impacting over 84,000 people with improved waste management services. His innovative approach aims to expand to 60 cities by 2027, creating 3,000 new jobs and recycling 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. His achievements earned him recognition as a YouthActionNet® Laureate Global Fellow, placing him among 20 young social entrepreneurs with global impact. Beyond Recicleiros, he serves on the advisory board of Instituto Akatu, continuing to shape sustainable development practices across Brazil. At Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, he shares his expertise in sustainable enterprise development and social innovation.