Jalisco Recycling Initiative
Summary of Objectives
prepared for Eugene Energy Village
Revitalization Proposal
Christina Rose Larson
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The times of limitless growth and thoughtless disposal of materials have passed. Many areas of the world however, still lack both education and basic infrastructure to promote recycling and adequate disposal of wastes. This affects quality of life for all people directly or indirectly. Lacking in many areas of the world are waste management models that meet sanitation needs, aesthetic, economic, social and long-term environmental needs of the community through the
entire waste management process.

Disposal of both hazardous and other wastes present challenges and opportunities to local and international communities. Waste is the end of a long and resource-intensive process. Much waste comes from new or virgin materials, in the form of 'one-time-use' items, designed for consumer use and disposal. This process devastates habitats, where materials are extracted, challenges international communities, where workers are paid low wages and stresses urban
landfills, burgeoning with materials --of potential value! The unrecognized value of recycled materials presents an important opportunity.

The Jalisco Recycling Initiative is my vision of a Mexican model for large-scale urban recycling. The objectives of the Pilot program, stationed in Puerto Vallarta, near the capital city
Guadalajara include:
I.   Improve Current WM System (Environmental Focus)
i. Equip municipal waste system infrastructure for comprehensive material recycling
ii. Improve the social status, health and possibility of vocational advancement for
pepenadores ( waste sorters) in the current waste management system.
iii. Reduce quantity of final solid waste disposal in the landfill
iv. Reduce Pollution
II.   Motivate Widespread Education (Social Focus)
i. Support the governmental agencies to be informed in order to promote sustainable
municipal waste management, and understand ecological impacts
ii. Encourage a "Culture of Recycling" program that educates citizens of all ages and
motivates them to value recyclable materials
III.   Promote Citizen Leadership
i. Initiate neighborhood focus groups that involve citizens, non-governmental agencies and governmental representatives in conservation, reuse, reduction and recycling.
Encourage community demand for extended recycling infrastructure
IV.   Increase Local Vocational Opportunities (Economic Focus)
i. Focus economic efforts on domestic processing of recycled materials
ii. Increase linkage between producers, to minimize virgin material input and wasted materials that might be useful in proximate industries
V.    Model a New Paradigm
i. Limiting solid waste output enhances the quality of life for all Communities, by reducing ecological stress and maintaining the health of the environment
ii. Recycling industries can provide jobs, opening alternative job markets
iii. New waste management Models can enhance the ecological sensibilities of people that might not  otherwise recognize how conservation of resources can have direct, personal and community benefits

The Jalisco Recycling Initiative is a timely project, that responds to a lack of integrated waste management models in Mexico. My overarching goal for the project is to work with a team to determine the "common denominators" of materials production and disposal processes. Linked materials in the production process could limit generation of waste, while an understanding of the essential elements of a waste processing program can enable replication across the Republic and beyond. Understanding of the common denominators to the waste management system will allow for adaptations based on local conditions.

It is likely that the program will demonstrate how recycling can be an ecologically responsible and economically appealing component of a smoothly functioning waste management system for the benefit of the Community as a whole. Energy Village has the possibility to engage such International Programs to support the improvement of basic community support systems. Through technical expertise, volunteer service and economic contributions, Energy Village is a
network that offers great possibilities in the spirit of International Community.