Azul Sayu, A.C. Sayulita: Don’t Trash Our Future!

December marks the start of the fourth annual fundraising drive for our local nonprofit environmental conservation program, Azul Sayu. AS is an Asociación Civíl, or legally registered nonprofit organization in the state of Nayarit. 

Azul Sayu reduces the trash footprint of our bustling community by 

• Providing a recycling program which diverts waste from garbage piles and landfills 
• Educating children in Sayulita and San Ignacio schools about the environment and reducing & recycling trash
• Organizing monthly beach cleans and clean ups associated with all surf events. Join them the first Tuesday of every month to help!

They can’t do it alone! Azul Sayu receives no government funding – donations cover their free public recycling and education programs. Contributions are needed to continue and expand services in 2025! Donate easily online (tax-deductible for US filers who itemize) by visiting: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI0ODg3

Did you know?

Azul Sayu has over 180 recycle bins in Sayulita and San Ignacio! An increase of 50% over the past year!

EACH MONTH during high season, over THREE TONS of waste is recycled – thereby not being added to trash piles, and not going in landfills.

While the local government provides trash services to our county – Bahia de Banderas – no recycling services are provided or funded.

The current budget for the Azul Sayu program is approximately $40,000 pesos per month. Costs include salaries for 2 employees, rent for a sorting and storage facility (called the acópio), payments to recycle glass and cardboard, gas, vehicle maintenance, taxes and accounting fees. The program operates very efficiently!

Recycling services are free to the community! Revenue earned from the nominal fees charged for private pick-up service cover about 25% of AS’s budget. 75% of the budget is covered by the donations of generous community members and business sponsors.

Each month, roughly 30 community members – many of them children – join Azul Sayu to clean the beach and learn about waste disposal.

While many countries have simply given up on recycling, due to cost and effort, Mexico continues recycling by processing only items that can be reused in this country. Nothing is shipped offshore! For example, that wine bottle you just emptied will be sent to a factory in Mexico City to be ground down and formed into new glasses. That plastic coke bottle you just drank will head to Puerto Vallarta and be shredded, melted and formed into carpets or tires.

How does the local program work?

In this area, Azul Sayu is able to recycle glass, metal, PET plastics, and cardboard.

Recycling is a clean process, so items need to be clean and separated from trash to be able to be recycled. For example, cardboard is recycled by shredding it, so it cannot be wet or stained with oil (like a used pizza box).

Don’t trash our future! Let’s all work together to reduce trash in Sayulita by educating our children, diverting recyclables from trash piles to recycling bins, and by supporting Azul Sayu as they provide crucial community services. Make your contribution today https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI0ODg3. 

For additional information about Azul Sayu, A.C., visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/OrganizaciondeconservacionAzulsayu

Or Intagram https://www.instagram.com/azulsayu/

Gratitude

Azul Sayu’s 2024 Presenting Partner is MexHome. Their support allows AS to operate year-round, increase the reach of their program, and provide education programs. Additional 2024 program sponsors include: 

Eco Warriors: El Patio Sayulita, Grupo Pro Sayulita, Ocho Estrellas, Realtor Gabriel Jones, Sayulita Coastal Properties, Villa del Oso

Heroes: Caivamá, Chaman Creative Kitchen, Pacifico Property, Sayulita Fit

Written by Lina Weissman