Reimagining Waste: A Life Without Collection Services
Have you ever wondered what happens to your waste after it leaves your trash bin? When we lived on land, waste collection was something we took for granted. A truck would come, collect our trash, and it would disappear without a thought. But living aboard sailboats changes that perspective. Limited space means every bit of waste matters, and it quickly becomes clear that disposal doesn’t simply “happen.”
The experience of constantly managing our own waste brought us face-to-face with the challenges many communities face worldwide. In many places we’ve visited, there is little to no infrastructure for waste management, leaving people without the luxury of regular collection. This sparked our commitment to doing things differently, leading to the founding of In Mocean, a nonprofit dedicated to collaborating with small communities in underserved coastal and rural areas to manage plastic waste through recycling.
Building Change: Partnership with Finca Hamburgo
Our most recent project began with an introduction to Finca Hamburgo, a beautiful historic coffee plantation set in the lush, biodiverse mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. The beauty of this region stands in stark contrast to its waste management issues. Trash disposal is limited to unregulated landfills, where wind and heavy rainfall often carry waste into rivers, eventually feeding into the ocean. Local efforts to stem this flow of waste have been admirable but challenging.
At Finca Hamburgo, residents had already begun collecting, sorting, and transporting their trash to Tapachula, the nearest town with any waste services. Yet Tapachula’s own infrastructure is also lacking, and their efforts barely scratched the surface. Searching for a more sustainable solution. At the same time, we were scouting out the area around Puerto Madero to find a suitable partner for our next recycling workspace. Luckily, a friend introduced us to Lisa, Chief Sustainability and Sales Director at Finca Hamburgo. Soon after the first phone call, Nike found herself up in the mountains of Chiapas, leading two days of recycling workshops for the community at Finca Hamburgo.
A Spark for Plastic Recycling
The initial workshops ignited a spark within the community, especially among the women who joined to learn how to transform plastic waste into colorful earrings. Their enthusiasm for creating jewelry was contagious, and their inventiveness went beyond our expectations as they dove into crafting unique, vibrant pieces. Seeing the artistic possibilities, we discussed the potential for sustainable income through selling their creations. The bright glow of excitement in their eyes told us we had found our next partner, and Re-Creativa began to take shape as the community’s third recycling workspace.
From Idea to Action: Setting Up Re-Creativa
Our mission at In Mocean is to provide communities not just with tools but with the knowledge and motivation to handle waste sustainably. A crucial factor in the success of any recycling initiative is that community members see a purpose and feel motivated to carry it forward themselves. The women at Finca Hamburgo showed us they were ready, and two weeks after our initial workshop, we were back in Chiapas.
With support from the REESE Gruppe and private donors, Maria and Nike loaded up a truck with recycling machines made by Plastic Preneur, including a shredder and an extruder, and set off into the mountains. Over the next week, we worked closely with the women, setting up the workspace and training them to run and maintain the machines. The dedication they brought to the process reminded us just how powerful shared passion can be in creating change.
Practical Training and Workshop Development
Setting up the workspace involved a series of practical lessons, beginning with identifying types of plastic. We focused on HDPE, LDPE, and polypropylene, teaching how to distinguish these materials and how they interact with our equipment. Together, we set up the machines, showing the women how to operate them, perform basic checks, and troubleshoot.
To start small, we focused on creating earrings using a panini press and shredding plastic for storage in repurposed plastic jars, sorted by type and color. We also began crafting bowls and beams using the extruder. Additionally, we held discussions on roles within the workspace, guiding them through the basics of running it as a small business to generate income by selling recycled products locally.
Early Successes and the Birth of Re-Creativa
In the weeks following our departure, the women took charge. They named their workspace “Re-Creativa” and designed a beautiful logo. An Instagram account soon followed, showcasing their jewelry, bowls, their quality and design improving rapidly. The early sales not only brought in income but also strengthened their commitment to the project. The seven women now spend several hours each day in the workspace, creating new pieces, honing their skills, and working on their first prototype for a chair made from recycled beams.
Beyond the workspace, a new social bond has formed among these women. United by a shared passion, they find strength and joy in building a sustainable business together, taking it one step at a time. This collaboration has brought a sense of purpose and community that extends far beyond plastic recycling.
A Community Hub and Beacon for Change
Re-Creativa is more than a recycling workspace; it’s a beacon of progress in Chiapas. This initiative empowers the community not only to manage their own plastic waste sustainably but also to inspire others. The women of Re-Creativa have already hosted workshops for nearby communities, working with local officials and artisans to raise awareness about how small-scale plastic recycling can be part of the solution to the global plastic crisis. We’re grateful to witness their passion turn a small ripple into a wave of positive change.
Join Us on This Journey
At In Mocean, we believe that even small actions can drive lasting change. Every piece of plastic recycled brings us closer to a cleaner planet. We invite you to join us, support our mission, and witness the transformation as we create sustainable solutions one community at a time.
