In an effort to promote environmental education and encourage a culture of recycling, High School 1 of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico began in 2022 a campaign to collect single-use plastics and hard plastic bottle caps.
The campaign has achieved a massive response in the 53 academic spaces that the aforementioned University has, becoming an inspiring project that contributes to sustainability and the use of environmentally friendly energy
Since the start of this initiative in 2022 and so far in 2023, more than 65 tons of single-use plastics and 7.5 tons of hard plastic bottle caps have been collected. These figures demonstrate the commitment and the active participation of the 107,231 members of the university communitywhich includes students, administrative workers and teachers.
Raul Vera Noguez, director of Environmental Protection at UAEM, explained that the project was born in High School 1, located in Toluca, the state capital, as part of the environmental education activities for students.
The campaign consists of collecting single-use containers, which are delivered to a local recycling company. In exchange, the company donates solar cells that are installed in the academic spaces with the greatest participation in the campaign. Also, plastic bottle caps donated in support of the Mexican Association of Children with Cancer.
“The installation of solar panels was one of the benefits obtained in the initial stage of the project, which led the rector of the university to extend the campaign to the entire institution,” says Professor Vera Noguez.
Fernanda Estefanía Clavel Ramirez, a Law Degree student, is part of this campaign that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the 2030 Agenda. She is also part of the center dedicated to these Goals at the UAEM.
Collection of plastics by students and teaching staff of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico.
Extension to other harmful products
For his part, the person in charge of Environmental Protection, Gonzalo Ugalde Herrera, pointed out that the project has grown even more and now the collection of burned oil to generate biodiesel is being carried out.
“This new initiative has made it possible to obtain supplies for the physics and chemistry laboratories of the university,” added Ugalde Herrera.
Marta Citlali Alejandro Campos, a student of the Bachelor of Economics, highlighted the importance of these campaigns and how they generate real change.
“This model of the project is interesting because it becomes like a sustainable circle in which we put together the PET (polyethylene terephthalate-polyester) to be able to do this collection of plastic and that it is no longer thrown away, that does not reach the ocean, for example”, comments Marta Citlali.
Solar panels in the UAEM.
Only 10% of the world’s plastic is recycled
The single-use plastic problem is alarming worldwide. More are produced every year 400 million tons of plastic, and less than 10% is recycled. It is estimated that between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste end up in lakes, rivers and seas, causing a serious environmental impact. Furthermore, microplastics invade our food, water and air.
In the context of the 50th anniversary of the World Environment Dayspearheaded by the Program of United Nations for the Environment (UNEP), the Mexican University’s plastic recycling and solar energy campaign stands out as a successful example of how an educational institution can lead sustainable initiatives.
The UAEM demonstrates that, through the collaboration and commitment of all, it is possible to generate a positive impact on society and the environment. This inspiring project not only promotes environmental education and a culture of recycling, but also drives the university towards sustainability and the use of clean energy.
