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 |
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.
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 21st, 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!
Or
%20Instagram%20%231.jpg)
%20Instagram%20%231.jpg)
.jpeg)
