In late October 2019, I stumbled on this installation on the Alcalá in front of Santo Domingo. The message on the heart to the left, in English read, “Knowledge of degradable and biodegradable garbage. I think and therefore recycle.” – Sandra Zárate Garcia
The message on the heart to the right declared, “Care of rivers and seas, ‘Caring for water with a heart.'” – Marcos Raúl Moreno Félix
And, it wasn’t just there. Hearts, enhanced by fifteen artists and waiting to be filled with recyclables, began cropping up in parks and public spaces throughout the city.
Yikes, could it be? Oaxaca is finally joining the world of recycling. ¡Qué milagro!
It is a project of the DIF, a governmental agency charged with strengthening and developing the welfare of the Mexican families
According to mayor Oswaldo García Jarquín, “this campaign is the beginning to truly become aware of the importance of caring for our environment; not because of a fashion, not because of a political vocation or sensitivity issue, but because it is an already indispensable issue and Oaxaca must be an example at the national level and worldwide.”
The President of the Consultative Council of the Municipal DIF, Patricia Benfield López, “recalled that, with this initiative, it helps reduce the amount of solid waste and encourage its use, since the resources obtained from the sale of waste will be invested in the manufacture and installation of more structures. While PET caps will be destined to associations dedicated to care for girls and boys with cancer.”
My favorite, by the painter, Noel Gómez Lorenzo, is in a very prominent spot on the zócalo. May the hearts of Oaxaca be filled each and every day!
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
❤️
It’s all about what’s in the heart!
This is the most imaginative and beautiful recycling program that I have ever seen. Thanks.
I’m quite impressed that they are being used. I hope the city continues to find ways to employ the talents of Oaxaca’s artists!
Hi Shannon!
I’m working on a presentation about sustainable community development for a local NGO. One of the examples I’d like to include is art-meets-recycling initiatives like the ones I’ve seen when traveling through Oaxaca: the heart-shaped containers for plastic bottles. Unfortunately, I didn’t take pictures of them.
Google image search led me to your blog. Would you allow me to include some of the pics from your blog post in my presentation? I’m not earning anything with this presentation; it’s something I’m doing for free for a local NGO. (Local meaning here in Antigua, Guatemala. Like you, I’m living the Latin American expat life 🙂 ) I’d be happy to give your blog a shout out along with the pics!
Best wishes, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Chrissi
Thank you, a shout out would be appreciated. Wishing you success with your presentation!
Will do! Thank you!