RECUPERADORES URBANOS

The creation of a circular economy in neighbourhoods based on plastic waste recycling, using replicable and low-tech processes.

Long description

RECUPERADORES URBANOS is a new Project developed from the previous experience of TREM (trem.maliarts.net). TREM is a dynamic environment in Malinalco, State of Mexico, to stimulate the collaboration, development and implementation of replicable techniques and low-tech tools to transform waste into valuable objects. A number of workshops were organised over the period of 2 years, aiming to connect communities, artisans and designers and to facilitate the development and implementation of alternative strategies to transform plastic and other valuable materials from waste. The achieved results and experience were embedded in RECUPERADORES URBANOS to design and promote the creation of a circular economy based on the CDMX. The core idea is to exchange plastic waste for an alternative currency, which can be used in the local neighbourhood’s businesses that are key partners of the project.  The added economic value is given by the innovative service that will collect, design and transform the plastic waste in valuable objects. This will sustain the local alternative currency and promote the exchange among the community members. Furthermore, any profit will be re-invested in the local economy, supporting the existing network as well as designing new activities that will instigate the integration of new members within the community.  This will also encourage a cultural change in the people perception about their waste and will stimulate more sustainable behaviours in relation to recycling and reusing products and materials.

Additional Images