Sayulita's New Recycling Center Meeting Minutes

On Wednesday, March 8th, 20+ homeowners and managers were in attendence for the first meeting regarding Sayulita's new Recycling Center. 

Date: Wednesday, March 8^th, 2017
Time: 5pm
Location: Palmar Trapiche

The meeting started with greeting the 20+ people in attendance. There was an introduction of the 8 women who have contributed their time and resources to create this large project of a new, sustainable recycling center in Sayulita. It was explained that what makes this group of women so special is that it is equal part ex-pats and national residents.

Information on the Recycling Center
The location of the Recycling Center is next to the trash dump on the Punta Mita Highway, just pass the entrance to town (El Crucero). There is a projected date of the end of March to have the trash area and the recycle area separated by a fence. Trash will never enter the recycle center. Pro Sayulita currently pays the rent for the property as well as the rent for the nearby home in which the workers live. The workers are not paid a salary; they work completely on tips. The hours of both the recycle center and dump are 7 am to 11 pm. Outside of those hours, the gates will be closed and locked. Leaving any kind of materials is absolutely not permitted.

Information on GIRRSA and Trash Pick Up
GIRRSA is a completely separate entity from the Recycling Center and will be in no way affiliated or in charge of recycling. GIRRSA is responsible for trash removal at the dump and throughout town. They have a separate contract with the Bahia. Lina stressed that it is very important to understand that GIRRSA is not paid to recycle. Anything they pick up will become trash and end up in the dump in Valle.

Items that can be Recycled

• Glass of any color
• Glass Bottles WITH Lids
• Plastic (including cups with the number 1 inside of the recycling logo)
• Plastic film and clear plastic bags
• Aluminum Cans, Aluminum Foil 
• White Paper, Office paper, Magazines, Books and Newspaper
• Cardboard              

Proper Ways to Sort Your Recycling

It was stressed it is very important to clean all containers, glasses, and cardboard boxes to be free of food before bringing your items to the recycling center. There must be no food or liquid residue leftover in the recycling. It will make it much easier for the workers if you can sort your recycling. However, you can put glass, plastic and cans in one container. Paper and magazines should be tied and put together and cardboard and any boxes should be broken down. In order for the workers to be able to lift all drop offs with hear, please remember to keep your recycling light.  Make sure it is easy for people to pick it up and sort.

Bring Your Items to the Recycling Center
Currently, the only way to ensure your items are recycled is to bring them to the center. It was mentioned that if you or your house staff cannot do this, there are private individuals who you can pay to do this for you. For further information, please contact the team at Eco Sayulita through Facebook . Remember, GIRRSA is not paid to recycle and will not sort any recyclable items at the Sayulita Recycling Center.

What Containers to Use
Blue containers and bins are the universal colors for Recycling. All homeowners and managers must do their best to train all house staff to follow procedures for collecting recycled items. Containers are easily found in town, at Home Depot or on line at https://es.uline.mx/. Please provide your guests information about what we can recycle using the flyer attached below. You can place this flyer in your house book or post it near your recycle area.

Tentative Volunteer Day at the Recycling Center
Near the end of March there will be a day for volunteers to come and pitch in and help finish cleaning the Recycling and Trash center. The house will also get a new look, with a fresh coat of white paint. A contest will also be held for a mural to be painted on the house by a local Sayulita artist. Time and Date of clean up TBA