How a historic coffee plantation in Mexico is fighting plastic pollution

In the heart of Mexico’s biodiverse region of Japas lies Vam Borgo, a historic coffee plantation that has embarked on an inspiring journey to combat plastic pollution. Despite being situated in a remote area with little to no trash removal infrastructure and 2 hours away from the nearest city, Vam Borgo is leading the charge through an innovative partnership with In Motion, a nonprofit organization promoting small-scale recycling.

The Plastic Pollution Crisis in Japas

Like many rural communities in Mexico, the area surrounding Vam Borgo suffers from a lack of infrastructure when it comes to trash and recycling management. This is particularly troubling given that Japas is known for its natural beauty. The truth about what often happens to supposedly disposed-of trash after being transported to nearby cities like Tapachula is both ugly and toxic, making it imperative for communities such as Vam Borgo to find alternative solutions.

Vam Borgo’s Partnership with In Motion

A lucky coincidence brought together In Motion, led by founders Marie and Lisa, and Vam Borgo. The two entities joined forces to establish a community recycling workspace in the area, transforming waste into valuable products while keeping plastic out of landfills and toxic trash burs. This partnership has not only helped address the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also created new income streams for the local community.

Setting Up a Small-Scale Recycling Workspace

Marie and Lisa brought with them a pickup truck full of recycling equipment, including a plastic shredder and extruder made by an Austrian plastics entrepreneur. Over the course of several days, they worked closely with the local women, teaching them how to identify, sort, and process different types of plastic. This involved shredding the plastic, storing it in labeled repurposed water jugs, and using the extruder to create hot flexible filaments that could be wrapped around objects or pushed into molds.

Local Women’s Creative Efforts

The women quickly took to the creative aspects of recycling, using the recycled plastic to make a variety of crafts such as earrings. They learned and adapted various techniques, including using local tools like a tortilla press, showcasing their resourcefulness and willingness to experiment.

Evolution and Community Outreach

In just three months, the women at Vam Borgo have made remarkable strides. They have given their venture a name (Inamura) and created an Instagram account (@inamura.ecologica) to promote their work. Their designs are continuously evolving, and they now offer their products on display cards made from repurposed wood scraps.

Community Workshops and Sustainable Practices

The ladies have also started collaborating with local partners, generating a significant income in the process. They have begun offering workshops for local school children as part of their efforts to educate the community about sustainability practices. As coffee communities throughout Japas work to help themselves by engaging more actively in initiatives such as this one, In Motion continues to support and celebrate these inspiring endeavors.

Supporting the Mission of In Motion

To learn more about the incredible work being done at Vam Borgo and other similar coffee communities, visit In Motion’s website or Instagram account. If you’re as excited as Lisa about these initiatives, consider supporting the mission by donating through their website (link in video description).

Conclusion

Vam Borgo’s partnership with In Motion demonstrates how community-driven initiatives can create significant impacts on a local and regional level. As communities work together to address the global plastic pollution crisis, it is stories like this one that inspire hope for a more sustainable future.