Competitions Promote Sustainable Living in Mexico

With a population of more than 111 million, waste management in Mexico is a key factor in the country’s overall health and economy.

In fact, about 12,500 tons of garbage is produced daily in Mexico City alone.

In Mexico City, 45 percent of trash will be burned for energy that will power the city subway and light homes. Photo: Mexico-pr.com

Now, in an effort to promote better recycling practices, Grupo Salinas, Fundacion Azteca and Mexico’s Environmental Ministry have published an official set of guidelines for the anti-litter and recycling competitions, “Ciudades mas limpias de Mexico” and “Recicla 2009,” according to Environmental Protection.

The focus of the campaigns is to draw attention to recycling and the importance of waste management within public and private sectors, academic circles and society as a whole. The projects will run through Sept. 11.

The competitions aren’t the first set of waste management efforts the country is making. In January, Mexico City announced the formation of the Waste Commission and its goes to build several processing centers that recycle, burn or compost 85 percent of the city’s trash. That’s a huge step forward for a city that had a recycling rate of 6 percent at the beginning of 2009.

The processing centers are expected to be completed by 2012. The push for a cleaner city comes from Mayor Marcelo Ebrand, who is also focusing on reduced water consumption and the creation of bike lanes and solar-powered buildings.

“If we make it greener, the city will be able to survive,” Ebrand said.