Creative Action to Address the Generation of Inorganic Waste
Location:
Las Escobas Village, Puerto Barrios, Izabal, Guatemala
Art Medium:
Photography, Art Interventions and Theater
Partner:
FUNDAECO
Artist:
Reyes Josue Morales
The Challenge
Las Escobas River, a popular ecotourism site in Puerto Barrios, Izabal, faces increasing waste management issues due to improper disposal by visitors. Litter along access roads and riverbanks threatens biodiversity, damages local ecosystems, and risks making the area less attractive to tourists. A decline in tourism could directly impact local incomes and disrupt the community’s efforts toward sustainable development. Without effective waste management and conservation strategies, the long-term environmental and economic sustainability of the region remains at risk.
The Action
Alongside partners at FUNDAECO and local leaders, Creative Action Institute engaged the Las Escobas community in raising awareness about waste management and its impact on the local environment. The initiative involved 15 students and several female community leaders, who participated in interactive workshops and creative activities, including a soccer-based campaign called “A Goal Against Trash.” The community also took part in a symbolic gesture, writing their dreams on leaves and offering them to the river. These efforts helped raise awareness about proper waste disposal and its role in preserving local biodiversity, while fostering a collective commitment to sustainability.
The Impact
• Still in progress. Stay tuned!
"I learned that natural resources are essential for life and human development. I also learned that their conservation is key to ensuring a sustainable future and protecting the environment for future generations."