What a Bright Idea! Isla Mujeres Mexico

Local artist Victor Villegas recycles old light bulbs into whimsical plant hangers and jewel-like chandeliers.  

It’s a fascinating use for something that would normally end up in an overcrowded garbage dump or landfill site.  Tiffany Yenawine Wareing clued us in on the artistry of Victor Villegas.  

As for other unwanted items, Mexico’s recycling program is still very much in its infancy, giving me pangs of guilt about what we toss out. 

Items that are still usable, but not needed in our household, go to local friends or are set out on the curb for anyone to pick up and hopefully put to good use.  Things made of copper are highly prized by scrap collectors.  

Aluminum and tin have some scrap value

Aluminum beverage cans have some value.  Tin cans have a much lower scrap value.  I put the cans in a separate bag so the garbage guys can easily add them to their personal stash of good stuff.   Large cardboard boxes, the types used for TVs, computers, and appliances, are flattened and left at the curb for the city trucks for pickup. 

At various locations around the island, there are wire bins for recycling plastic beverage bottles.  The plastic bottle recycling program was originally started by Friends of Isla Contoy, with funding from PEACE and various island businesses. 

I asked a few folks, and it seems that items such as broken plastic patio furniture, plastic bags or yogurt containers are not wanted; they cause a huge problem with sorting and recycling. The bins are a small start at being environmentally responsible. 

Some glass beer bottles are recyclable.  Purchasers pay a hefty deposit for the bottles when buying a complete case from the suppliers. To get a refund, the purchaser must return to the original location with the receipt, all of the beer bottles and the case.  This is the biggest reasons bar operators don’t want their customers walking out with a beer bottle in their hand.  If you want to drive with a beer in your hand, just don’t do it with their expensive, refundable bottles!

Cleaning up veggie and fruit scraps

With compostable items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, our daytime herd of semi-tame iguanas does a good job of cleaning up.  Anything they don’t want, the night-shift of hermit crabs is happy to consume.  Pretty much everything else gets tossed in the waste cans.  It pains me to throw away so much stuff! 

Then I had a middle-of-the-night epiphany: why not ask some of the local charities and service organizations what new or gently-used items would be useful to them?

Recycle to students in need of gym shoes

Tiffany Yenawine Wareing enthusiastically responded with a number of good ideas.  

Gently used sneakers for the students who need them for gym classes would be welcome, even adult sizes, because many of today’s kids have larger feet. Old or mismatched housewares will be recycled for the domestic violence shelter on the mainland – the Continental Zone area of Isla Mujeres. 

Hey, we'd like to go for a walk with you!

Eileen Regn at Isla Animals said they are always looking for used sheets, towels, and stacks of newspaper to help out with their bi-weekly spay and neuter clinics.  Pet cages, carriers, dishes, collars and leashes are welcome.  And there are plans for a larger clinic/shelter, so additional household or office-type items would be gladly accepted.  You can contact Isla Animals via their Facebook page if you have items to donate, or stop by their current location at the entrance to the Mundaca Hacienda Park. You can also donate your time and a bit of love by taking a homeless dog for a much-needed walk.

2014 Diabetes Clinic

Karen Rosenberg, organizer for the annual Diabetes Clinic, said they would happily accept any unopened current-date products for diabetics.  

She also asked that we remind everyone about the upcoming clinic on September 21^st, starting at 9 am, at the Cruz Roja (Red Cross). Diabetes is now the number one cause of death in Mexico, so spread the word to other islanders.

Karen says: “We have 200 glucose meters to distribute and many strips and lancets. No insulin or pills, but the doctor from the Cruz Roja is going to be part of the clinic along with 4 nurses and EMTs who are Islenos!”

Well, my thought processes have wandered from tin cans and bottles to stray dogs and old towels, but you get the drift; just a reminder to put a little thought into what you toss out, and what you recycle. 

It’s a beautiful paradise we live in; let’s keep it pretty.

Hasta luego, Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas the Cat

Grab your copy today!

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

Or

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky