Recycle: to reclaim waste materials by using them in the manufacture of new products.

In México and many other developing countries recycling has been carried out traditionally by an informal sector of pickers at the dumps, "the pepenadores". They sell this material to intermediaries that in turn sell in bulk to the manufacturers. The social, economic and health conditions of the pickers is very poor.

Programs for curbside recycling have been initiated in some large cities with varying degrees of success. In mid October of 2002, the Barrio de San Juan de Dios began participation in a pilot recycling program. The program was coordinated by the Procuraduria Ambiental in conjunction with the local resident's association and the city’s Sanitation Services department. Brochures were distributed to every household and a confusing schedule was put into effect. Then after approximately six weeks, the program was discontinued. The driver of the Sanitary Services truck announced with glee that the program has been suspended, just when people were starting to get the hang of organic, inorganic and other types of waste described in the brochure. Fortunately Mr. Alfredo Soberanes Reynoso, Chief of the Sanitation Services Department, came to the rescue and promptly re-instituted the program.

With all the fanfare of the brochures, it would have been far more productive and economic to first, explain in simple terms with special instructions, starting with the individuals that do the waste collection, why it is imperative to recycle in a more organized fashion than the "traditional" way. As the population has grown, so has the amount of trash that needs to be disposed of. Second, explain what materials should be recycled: glass, clean office paper, newsprint, cardboard, tin cans, plastics, etc. Third, explain who benefits directly by recycling: the Town, by having a more efficient solid waste disposal program; the environment, by reducing the impact that such materials have in it; the pickers, who could organize in a cooperative, obtain cleaner recycling materials, sell directly to the manufacturer and thus get a better price for them, improving their economic status.

Now why is so important to recycle? Each human being produces a certain daily amount of waste. Waste has to be disposed of, and unless communities have an unlimited amount of land and resources for waste disposal, the less waste the better. Waste can be non-hazardous as well as hazardous to the environment and thus human, plant and animal life. Therefore, by eliminating the non-hazardous materials, more efforts can be directed to monitor and decrease the disposal of hazardous materials.

There is also a difference between a dump and a landfill. A dump is a site where the waste is just literally dumped and left in the open air. A landfill is a site that has been prepared to receive waste. This preparation includes a layer of clay, followed by another of sand or ground stone, a synthetic liner, leachate collection system, subdivision of cells, chimneys for collection of gases, environmental monitors for hazardous materials, daily coverage of waste with top soil and finally when the site reaches capacity it is covered with clay, top soil and vegetation.

We must remember that any hazardous material that reaches the dump is a potential source for soil contamination and as such could leach into the groundwater. Therefore the next step after establishing a serious townwide non hazardous recycling program, should be to implement periodic recycling or collection of hazardous materials (batteries, solvents, paints, chemicals, etc.)
To advance solid waste management systems we need to improve public education and this effort should be wide and sustained. Our best hope is to start with the young. Children should be made aware of their environment and schools need to be more active and involved in environmental activities.

Thankfully, Social Services Coordinator Agustín Cordova Grimaldi has spearheaded such a recycling campaign in San Miguel, working with the city's youth. With the help of his own high school students, Mr. Cordova will begin distributing bumper stickers and literature to local businesses and the public, informing and educating them about the new recycling initiative. The Professor and his class will also be visiting La Primaria Manuel Ávila Camacho, beginning what is to be an ongoing series of workshops in an effort to teach the city's youngest generation the importance of protecting and maintaining their environment. "The recycling campaign is permanent, it’s a campaign that was initiated many years ago and should never end," comments Mr. Cordova, "we should always be striving towards a clean city, state and world." Mr. Cordova works as a Social Services teacher at both the Instituto Allende and Preporatoria Las Casas. For more information on his community outreach recycling program and how you can help get involved, please contact Mr. Cordova at: 044-415-1031397.