Residents of Mexico City are embracing a creative recycling program that is turning trash into food.
Mercado de Trueque —
Residents of Mexico City are embracing a creative recycling program that is turning trash into food.
CNN
The Mexican capital is home to more than 20 million people ...
Mexico City —
The Mexican capital is home to more than 20 million people ...
CNN
... who combined create a mountain of trash. An estimated 12,600 metric tons was being deposited daily in the Bordo Poniente landfill site before it closed late last year. Now, a new barter scheme called Mercado de Trueque is incentivizing residents to recycle more waste.
Mexico City —
... who combined create a mountain of trash. An estimated 12,600 metric tons was being deposited daily in the Bordo Poniente landfill site before it closed late last year. Now, a new barter scheme called Mercado de Trueque is incentivizing residents to recycle more waste.
CNN
Jose Luis Aranda is one of thousands of locals embracing the government scheme.
Mercado de Trueque —
Jose Luis Aranda is one of thousands of locals embracing the government scheme.
CNN
Aranda and his housemates gather glass, plastic and cardboard and take it to the city's Chapultepec Park.
Mercado de Trueque —
Aranda and his housemates gather glass, plastic and cardboard and take it to the city's Chapultepec Park.
CNN
The items are separated, weighed and emptied into recycling bins.
Mercado de Trueque —
The items are separated, weighed and emptied into recycling bins.
CNN
In return, Aranda and his friends receive 300 "green points" between them.
Mercado de Trueque —
In return, Aranda and his friends receive 300 "green points" between them.
CNN
The vouchers are exchanged for fresh food produced by local farmers, who are subsidized by the local government.
Mercado de Trueque —
The vouchers are exchanged for fresh food produced by local farmers, who are subsidized by the local government.
CNN
For Aranda it's not just about buying vegetables to eat. He also picked up baby lettuce plants which he says he will grow at home. "In a month, I'll have 14 big lettuces that I can come back and sell here," he says.
Mercado de Trueque —
For Aranda it's not just about buying vegetables to eat. He also picked up baby lettuce plants which he says he will grow at home. "In a month, I'll have 14 big lettuces that I can come back and sell here," he says.
CNN
Aranda and a housemate leave the market with a haul of fresh vegetables and the satisfaction of knowing that recycling their unwanted waste has proved profitable for them and the local environment.
Mercado de Trueque —
Aranda and a housemate leave the market with a haul of fresh vegetables and the satisfaction of knowing that recycling their unwanted waste has proved profitable for them and the local environment.
CNN