Table of Contents
Why Cuenca is a great place to live green
Cuenca’s walkable historic center, temperate mountain climate, and strong local food culture make it easier than many cities to reduce your environmental footprint. The city’s tree-lined riverbanks, colonial architecture, and lively mercados encourage walking and buying seasonal produce. For expats building a sustainable life, Cuenca offers simple, practical opportunities to cut waste, save energy, and plug into community-led environmental initiatives.
Start with the basics: Reduce, reuse, recycle — the Cuenca way
Before tackling larger projects, focus on everyday habits that add up. Reducing single-use plastic, reusing containers, and learning where to take recyclables are low-effort, high-impact changes.
Reduce single-use plastics
Bring a reusable tote or string bag to mercados and supermarkets. Carry a refillable water bottle and a small cutlery set for takeout. Many market vendors will happily put goods in a reused bag or paper — asking in Spanish (“Si puede ponerlo en mi bolsa reusable, por favor”) goes a long way.
Reuse and repurpose
Glass jars make excellent storage for grains, spices, and homemade pickles. Fabric scraps become produce bags or rags. If you buy secondhand furniture from local classifieds, you cut demand for new manufacturing and help the neighborhood economy.
Recycling — what to expect
Municipal recycling infrastructure in Ecuadorian cities is growing but varies by neighborhood. You’ll find informal recyclers (recicladores) who collect cardboard, paper, and metals, and some supermarkets and community centers host drop-off points. Ask neighbors, local shop owners, or expat forums where the nearest collection point is — a quick chat will usually point you in the right direction.
Eat local, seasonal, and low-waste
One of the easiest ways to live sustainably is to shift your food habits. Cuenca’s markets and small farms supply fresh seasonal produce, often with less packaging than supermarket items.
Shop at mercados and farmers’ stalls
Visit the mercados near the historic center and in surrounding barrios for fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, cheese, and eggs. Buying from vendors reduces packaging and supports local farmers. Bring your own produce bags, and buy only what you can use in the next few days to cut food waste.
Cook more, waste less
Cooking at home with local ingredients reduces reliance on processed foods and single-use containers. Use leftovers creatively: soups, stews, and stir-fries are forgiving and reduce food waste. Compost in small batches if you have a balcony or join a community garden to give kitchen scraps a second life.
Water and energy: small changes that save money and resources
Cuenca’s mountain climate means heating needs are modest compared with colder countries, but smart water and energy practices still matter.
Tap water and filtration
Many long-term residents in Cuenca drink tap water, but preferences vary. If you’re cautious at first, install a simple countertop filter or use a pitcher filter — less waste than buying bottled water. Refill at municipal water points or trusted fill stations when traveling outside the city.
Save hot water
Use quick showers, fix leaky faucets, and consider insulating hot water pipes in houses where it’s feasible. If you’re renting, ask your landlord about tankless water heaters or efficient gas heaters as an energy-saving upgrade.
Smart electricity choices
Switch to LED bulbs, unplug chargers when not in use, and choose energy-efficient appliances when replacing items. If you own property and plan long-term, explore rooftop solar options — prices for panels have been trending down, and local installers can advise on incentives and permitting.
Getting around: low-carbon transport options
Cuenca is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with many services concentrated in and around the historic center. Transportation choices can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Walk whenever possible
Stroll the cobblestone streets of the Centro Histórico and along the Tomebamba River. Walking is healthy, free, and exposes you to local shops and markets you’d miss in a car.
Bicycle and public transit
Biking is increasingly popular; bring or buy a sturdy bike with a rack for grocery runs. Many neighborhoods have surfaced bike lanes, and riding along the river corridors is pleasant. Public buses and collective taxis (colectivos) are affordable options — learn the routes and schedules to minimize car use.
Green driving habits
If you keep a car, combine errands to reduce trips, keep tires properly inflated, and maintain the engine for better fuel efficiency. Consider car-sharing with neighbors or renting for longer trips rather than owning a second vehicle.
Composting in Cuenca: with or without a yard
Composting diverts food waste from the trash and creates nutrient-rich material for gardens. Even apartment dwellers can compost effectively.
Vermicomposting for small spaces
Worm bins (vermicompost) are compact, low-odor, and excellent for kitchen scraps. Use a small bin on a balcony or under a sink, and feed it vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and paper towels. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods to keep pests away.
Bokashi and other alternatives
Bokashi buckets ferment food waste and are a great option if worm composting isn’t possible. The fermented material can be buried in a garden or added to a community compost program.
Join or start a community garden
Look for huertos urbanos (urban gardens) where neighbors share plots and composting facilities. These gardens are social hubs and great places to trade surplus produce and learn from experienced gardeners.
Buy local, buy less: thrift, repair, and circular economy
Supporting local artisans and buying secondhand extends product life and keeps money circulating locally.
Shop secondhand and repair
Local thrift shops, flea markets, and online classifieds are treasure troves for furniture, home goods, and clothing. Learn basic repairs — mending clothes, re-gluing a chair, or replacing a zipper — to extend the life of your items.
Support local artisans and small producers
Cuenca has a rich handicraft scene. Buying directly from artisans reduces shipping emissions and helps preserve traditional skills. Look for leatherworkers, ceramics, and textile artisans in markets throughout the city.
Connect with community groups and resources
One of the best ways to accelerate your eco-living journey is to plug into local knowledge and networks.
Where to find fellow green-minded residents
Join expat and local community groups on social media to ask questions about recycling points, composting swaps, or where to find secondhand goods. University groups and local environmental NGOs often host cleanups, talks, and workshops. Volunteering at river cleanups or tree-planting events introduces you to neighbors and meaningful projects.
Language tips to get help
Simple Spanish phrases go a long way: ask “¿Dónde reciclan cartón y plástico?” (Where do they recycle cardboard and plastic?) or “¿Hay un huerto comunitario cerca?” (Is there a community garden nearby?). People are usually happy to point you toward local resources.
Practical starter checklist for the first 30 days
- Bring reusable bags and a water bottle; keep them near your door.
- Switch to LED bulbs and unplug unused electronics.
- Find the nearest mercado and try shopping there at least once a week.
- Ask neighbors where they take recyclables and whether a reciclador visits your block.
- Start a small vermicompost or bokashi system if you generate kitchen scraps.
- Walk and bike short trips; observe traffic patterns to find safe bike routes.
- Join one local environmental or expat group online to get tips and invitations.
Longer-term investments that pay off
After settling in, consider projects that require more investment but yield bigger sustainability gains: installing rooftop solar if you own a home, upgrading to efficient water heaters, insulating windows and doors, or helping start a neighborhood compost hub. Partnering with neighbors to split costs for a shared appliance or garden plot can make these upgrades affordable.
A final note about culture and expectations
Living sustainably in Cuenca is as much about adapting to local rhythms as it is about personal choices. Some services common in other countries are still emerging here, so flexibility and community engagement are crucial. By buying less, supporting local producers, and sharing knowledge, expats can make immediate and meaningful contributions to Cuenca’s greener future.
Adopt a few of these tips, connect with neighbors, and let local traditions shape your eco-habits. In a city like Cuenca, small daily choices quickly add up — and you’ll likely find that sustainable living makes life here healthier, cheaper, and more rewarding.
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.