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Why Cuenca is a great place to live sustainably
Cuenca’s manageable size, walkable historic center, temperate climate and strong sense of community make it one of the friendliest cities in Latin America for people wanting to live greener. Whether you’re an expat settling into an apartment near the Río Tomebamba or a family moving into a quieter barrio outside the Centro Histórico, small lifestyle changes can have a big environmental impact here.
In this guide I’ll share practical, field-tested tips tailored to Cuenca’s reality — where public transport and taxis are common, mercados and small shops are the backbone of food supply, and neighbors still exchange goods and favors. No idealism; just useful habits and local resources to help lower your footprint while integrating into Ecuadorian daily life.
Cuenca’s old town is built for pedestrians. If you live centrally you can walk to grocery stores, cafés and the main plazas for everyday errands. Walking not only cuts emissions, it helps you discover local artisans, tiny panaderías and the best places for a fresh jugo.
For longer runs, cycling is an increasingly practical option. Pick a comfortable hybrid or electric-assist bike for the hills and use saddle bags to carry purchases — avoid plastic bags that tear on the handlebars. Helmets and a good bike lock are essential. Many expats join informal cycling groups, which is a great way to learn flat vs. hilly routes along the river or toward Mirador de Turi.
Buses and taxis are widely available and cheaper than car ownership. Use public buses for commutes whenever possible and try to share taxis for shopping trips or nights out. Ask drivers about shared fares — many are used to combining riders going in the same direction.
Buy local and seasonal — mercados are your green ally
One of the easiest sustainable habits in Cuenca is to use the mercados (open-air markets) and local produce stalls. These vendors offer seasonal fruits and vegetables that have traveled far less than supermarket imports. Head to the Central Market early in the morning for the broadest selection and best prices, and bring a reusable tote or mesh produce bags.
Look for small, family-run stands that sell loose items rather than pre-packaged ones. Buying in bulk from these vendors reduces packaging waste. Learn the seasons — local mangoes, granadillas and native potatoes appear at different times — and plan meals around them for fresher, cheaper eating.
If you want organic, ask for “productos orgánicos” or visit weekly farmers’ markets on the outskirts of Cuenca. Neighboring towns such as Gualaceo and Chordeleg have artisanal markets and small farms where you can buy directly from growers on day trips.
Reduce waste: practical approaches for apartment and house dwellers
Waste reduction in Cuenca is a combination of personal habits and using local services. Start simple: refuse single-use plastics, carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, and say no to plastic cutlery. Many cafes and tiendas will happily accept your cup if you ask.
Separate your waste at home into organics, recyclables and residual trash. Rinse cans and plastic bottles to avoid odors. Flatten cardboard and stack it neatly. If your building doesn’t have separate bins, post a polite note in Spanish asking neighbors to sort — a small sign can help normalize the practice.
For recyclables, find the municipal drop-off points or private collectors who buy sorted materials. In many neighborhoods there are informal recycladores who will collect cardboard, PET, glass and metal for cash; simply leave neatly tied bundles at the doorstep on the assigned day. If you prefer a service, ask at your municipal office (Municipio de Cuenca) about scheduled pickups or drop-off centers in your sector.
Composting in the city: bokashi and worm bins
Even if you live in an apartment you can compost. Two methods are especially practical in Cuenca:
- Bokashi: This anaerobic fermentation system uses bran inoculated with beneficial microbes to break down kitchen scraps including cooked food and meat. It’s compact, odor-controlled and can be used on a balcony. Once fermented, the material can be buried in a garden bed or mixed into soil if you have plant containers.
- Vermicomposting (worm bins): Red wiggler worms turn vegetable scraps into rich compost. You can maintain a small bin indoors or on a covered balcony. Buy starter worms and bedding from agrotiendas or gardening stores in Cuenca.
Both systems are excellent for reducing organic waste and producing a valuable soil amendment for houseplants or community gardens.
Water and energy: small changes, real savings
Cuenca’s water supply is generally reliable, but conserving water reduces energy use and your utility bills. Simple habits make a difference: shorter showers, turning off the tap while shaving or brushing, and fixing dripping faucets promptly.
Many homes use gas or electric water heaters. Lower your water-heater temperature slightly and insulate exposed hot water pipes. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators — both available at local ferreterías (hardware stores). For apartment dwellers, explain the change to your landlord and offer to split costs for fixtures that save water and energy.
Switch to LED lighting throughout your home; they use far less electricity and last longer. Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use or use a power strip to switch everything off at night. For bigger changes, such as solar panels, consult local installers and check building codes and HOA rules before proceeding.
Green cleaning and low-toxicity living
Many cleaning products are available in supermarkets, but eco-friendly homemade cleaners work well and are inexpensive: white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and castile soap handle most household tasks. Use vinegar solutions for windows and surfaces (avoid on stone or marble), baking soda as a scrub, and dilute castile soap for dishes and floors.
When buying, look for items marked biodegradable or low-VOC paints for interior renovations. Ask at hardware stores for “pinturas con bajo contenido de COV” to reduce indoor fumes.
Green housing: adapt your apartment or house
Whether renting or buying, there are practical ways to make your living space more sustainable. Thick curtains and draught excluders improve insulation in older windows. Add weather stripping and seal gaps around doors to reduce heating needs during colder months.
If you have a balcony, create a small edible garden in pots — herbs, lettuce, tomatoes and native ornamentals adapt well to container gardening in Cuenca’s mild climate. Use a mix of compost and local potting soil, and water with a watering-can rather than a hose to control usage. For terraces, consider a simple shade cloth to reduce heat buildup and create a microclimate for plants.
Where to buy eco supplies and secondhand goods
Cuenca has plenty of options for sourcing green supplies and secondhand items. Ferreterías and agrotiendas sell composting materials, worm starter kits and gardening tools. For reusable bags, stainless-steel bottles or bamboo cutlery, check local mercados, small specialty shops, and supermarkets that carry eco-lines.
Secondhand furniture and appliances can be found in flea markets, neighborhood classifieds and active expat Facebook or WhatsApp groups. Buying used keeps items in circulation and avoids the carbon cost of new production. When shopping used, check for energy star ratings or ask about refrigerator seals and appliance performance.
Connect with local groups and university projects
Cuenca has a strong civil-society culture. Look for local environmental groups, community clean-ups and urban gardening initiatives. The Universidad de Cuenca and local NGOs sometimes host workshops on composting, water conservation and sustainable construction — a great way to learn and meet like-minded people.
Joining a neighborhood association can also help push for greener practices at the block level, such as shared composting, tree-planting days, or coordinated bulk-buying of eco products to lower costs.
Low-waste lifestyle: shopping and dining tips
When shopping, carry a cloth bag and small produce bags. In Spanish you can say: “¿Me da una bolsa reutilizable, por favor?” or “Traigo mi bolsa, gracias.” For meat and cheese at markets ask vendors to wrap purchases in paper or bring your own containers. Local bakeries are often happy to use paper or no bag if you tell them you’ll carry the bread in a tote.
Dining out? Many restaurants in Cuenca are open to providing food without disposable cutlery or packaging if you bring your own container or say ahead: “¿Me puede servir para llevar en mi recipiente, por favor?” Most small eateries appreciate the request and it helps set a cultural norm.
Weekend green outings: support regional producers
Make sustainable weekend plans that also deepen your connection to the region: a day trip to the markets of Gualaceo for locally woven textiles or to nearby farms to buy seasonal produce directly. These trips reduce reliance on industrial supply chains and support rural economies. Remember to pack reusable water, snacks and a tote bag.
Spanish phrases that make green living easier
- Recycle: reciclar
- Compost: compostar / abono
- Reusable bag: bolsa reutilizable
- Do you accept reusable containers?: ¿Acepta recipientes reutilizables?
- Where can I recycle glass/plastic?: ¿Dónde puedo reciclar vidrio/plástico?
Learning a few of these phrases not only helps with logistics, it connects you with neighbors and vendors in a respectful, practical way.
Sample one-week green routine for a Cuenca expat
Monday: Grocery shop at the mercado for produce and refill bulk staples. Use a tote and produce bags. Carry a reusable water bottle.
Wednesday: Short bike ride or bus instead of taxi. Top up compost bin (bokashi or worm bin) and keep a small counter-top container for kitchen scraps.
Friday: Join a local recycling pickup or drop recyclables at a municipal point. Clean and flatten cardboard boxes from online orders.
Saturday: Visit a farmers’ market in the morning and spend an hour volunteering at a community garden or attending a workshop at the university.
Final thoughts: sustainability is personal and local
Living green in Cuenca isn’t about perfection; it’s about making choices that fit your life and neighborhood. Small, consistent habits — reducing single-use plastics, composting kitchen scraps, choosing local produce, and walking or biking for short trips — add up. Cuenca’s natural beauty and strong community networks make it a rewarding place to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Start with one or two changes and build from there: your choices will save money, build connections and help preserve the city’s charm for years to come.
Want more practical checklists or specific supplier suggestions for your neighborhood? Ask and I’ll tailor recommendations to where you live in Cuenca.
Adam Elliot Altholtz serves as the Administrator & Patient Coordinator of the “Smilehealth Ecuador Dental Clinic“, along with his fellow Expats’ beloved ‘Dr. No Pain‘, right here in Cuenca, Ecuador, and for purposes of discussing all your Dental needs and questions, is available virtually 24/7 on all 365 days of the year, including holidays. Adam proudly responds to ALL Expat patients from at least 7:00am to 9:00pm Ecuador time, again every single day of the year (and once more even on holidays), when you write to him by email at info@smilehealthecuador.com and also by inquiry submitted on the Dental Clinic’s fully detailed website of www.smilehealthecuador.com for you to visit any time, by day or night. Plus, you can reach Adam directly by WhatsApp at +593 98 392 9606 -or by his US phone number of 1‐(941)‐227‐0114, and the Dental Clinic’s Ecuador phone number for local Expats residing in Cuenca is 07‐410‐8745. ALWAYS, you will receive your full Dental Service in English (NEVER in Spanish), per you as an Expat either living in or desiring to visit Cuenca by your Dental Vacation, plus also to enjoy all of Ecuador’s wonders that are just waiting for you to come arouse and delight your senses.