Fri May 18, 2012
Susana Heisse
Turning Trash into Treasure
BySusana Heisse, Guatemala – May 2010
On a clear day at Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala visitors can see images of three majestic volcanoes mirrored in aqua blue water. So spectacular is this view that the Mayas living in the surrounding villages call their lake, “Rumuxux Ulew,” which means “the navel of the world.”
Tourists from all over the world visit Lake Atitlan to enjoy this breathtaking natural beauty – taking hundreds of photos with them, too often leaving behind their empty plastic water bottles, plastic sandwich bags and plastic wrap.
Because Guatemala is a developing country, it doesn’t have a government-run waste management program to deal with all of this trash. As a result, the picturesque villages and coffee fields are strewn with garbage that not only destroys and pollutes the landscape it also poses a serious health concerns for the indigenous population – the innocent victims in this carelessness.
It’s curious that visitors can come and marvel at such extraordinary beauty and yet spoil it – destroying the essential elements that bring it to life – air, earth, and water – sacred elements to the indigenous population that lives beside Lake Atitlan and in the surrounding area.
Yet, the Maya people, known for their resourcefulness in creating impressive Mayan constructions like the pyramid of Tikal, are taking constructive initiatives to respond to man’s violation of nature. Pura Vida Atitlan, an ecological non-profit movement has, in the traditions established by their ancestors, creatively confronted this challenge, developing solutions that can even benefit the international community.
The solution is eco-blocks. Eco-blocks combine all kinds of discarded plastic waste which is thereupon stuffed into discarded plastic water bottles to form sturdy construction material. Already eco-blocks have been used to create such ecologically vanguard constructions as the Women’s Center which was recently built beside the Tikal pyramids. This structure was built in the traditional Mayan manner, with stones replaced by plastic bottles.
Stretched chicken wire holds the eco blocks together providing a sturdy wall that is strong enough to withstand even earthquakes. Moreover, one square meter of wall construction recycles 48 600 milliliter plastic bottles that have been stuffed with thousands of wrappers and plastic bags.
Pura Vida’s construction concept has also proven to provide a wonderful teaching tool for children who can learn that 21st century innovations must integrate with nature – that is man’s responsibility as a steward of the earth to create ecological solutions to environmental issues the world confronts.
In 2008 Pura Vida developed the Alternative Recycle Manual (www.puravidaatitlan.org ) that details how communities around the world can use waste for constructive purposes and in 2009, Pura Vida’s novel approach to construction was cited by the Guatemalan University. Organizations, such as the Peace Corp are using the manual to help build eco blocks schools, libraries, benches, bathrooms, and other structures around Lake Atitlan as well as in other places around the world.
Certainly the benefits of people working together – another lost value of modern civilization – can be regained by creating eco-blocks as a community. In 2005 when Hurricane Stan created so much destruction, Pura Vida led efforts to transform the United Nation’s temporary shelters into permanent housing with eco-building blocks.
International experts were quick to point out the benefits of this kind of community action, which also seems to help avert post traumatic problems often felt in the wake of the natural disasters. This kind of community team work is being implemented in other areas around the world like Haiti where efforts like these are starting to get underway.
With all of these positive efforts, Lake Atitlan nonetheless faces another threat –contamination of the lake with Ciano bacteria – otherwise known as blue-green algae. If left untreated Ciano bacteria could completely cover the lake, the largest Sweetwater reservoir in Guatemala is the source of drinking water for 50,000 Mayans.
Last August more than 700 Mayan children from 15 villages marched with Pura Vida and prayed for help for their beloved Lake Atitlan. Without waiting for government to act, these young children are actively recycling trash in hopes that their efforts will help prevent an environmental disaster that would have terrible consequences for the indigenous communities that live around the lake.
The hope is that the Mayans will once again be able to rise to the occasion and respond to this latest ecological challenge that could have broader impact on other communities around the world dealing with contaminated lakes and rivers.
Our secrets? A vibrant consciousness and a reverence to the god and heart of the earth. With all of the advancements of the 21st century we shall learn again to live in harmony with Mother Nature.
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