Mexico Sets Clean Cities and Recycling Contests
In a joint effort to recognize and promote best practices by Mexican society for a healthier and cleaner country, Grupo Salinas, Fundacion Azteca, and Mexico's Environmental Ministry have published the official guidelines for the "Ciudades mas limpias de Mexico" and "Recicla 2009" anti-litter and recycling competitions.
Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego, chair and founder of Grupo Salinas, has spearheaded several recent projects to seek solutions to pressing social and environmental problems, including the successful anti-litter and trash collection campaign "Limpiemos Nuestro Mexico," within which the current competitions are organized.
The "Ciudades mas Limpias de Mexico" contest is focused on local governments in Mexico and also has corporate support from the Pinol cleaning products company. The call to action is designed to promote best practices in litter control and management of solid wastes. "Recicla 2009" is aimed at supporting recycling within the public sector, the private sector, academic circles, and society as a whole by promoting best practices of recycling developments and potential projects. Projects will be received through Sept. 11.
The strong response to the recent "Limpiemos Nuestro Mexico" campaign shows that ecological consciousness must be accompanied by decisive action. On May 31, Grupo Salinas employees, the Environmental Ministry and society at large collected more than 3,500 metric tons of garbage. More than 1 million people participated in over 22,000 cleaning brigades. The campaign included a contest called "Lideres Ambientales de la Comunidad" to highlight community environmental leaders.