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The teacher in charge of the project explains that
“waste is classified into four groups: organic —which
remains at each house—; plastics, paper and ferrous
metals; batteries; and non-recyclable rubbish such
as nappies, contaminated bags, etc.”. After the
awareness-raising phase, they installed marked bags
in various areas of the town for recyclable waste and
delivered a letter to the residents informing them of the
places where this type of waste could be placed. The
bags were painted, inspired by the work of Carlos
Páez Vilaró, and decorated with phrases by poets
studied under the school curriculum. “What I liked most
was when we made the bags, painting them and also
positioning them”, says 5th grade student Emilia.
Once the bags were filled, the parents of some
students took them to the UPM Forestal Oriental
collection centre (a long way from the town), where
they were deposited in a shed assigned for this
purpose to await the arrival of the Cerro Largo
Administration Office truck that collects classified
rubbish.
After the first cycle of this experience, the team
assessed the results and, although the children were
awaiting further collaboration from the residents, the
teacher emphasised that, “in two and a half months 7
m3 of recycled rubbish has been collected”. The first
few days were the most fruitful, “the first bag was filled
sustainable rural development
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2014 ANNUAL REPORT