It's time to change!

We live in a consumer society in which our wastes have become a serious environmental problem, because we are immersed in a throwaway culture. Domestic solid waste are usually concentrated by the inhabitants of the dwelling in a single vessel, which then is downloaded to a single tanker truck, which, in turn, transports them to a single disposal site, Where, in the best case, it is possible to separate some of the waste for recycling or reuse. 

The problems caused by inadequate management of solid waste is getting worse in almost every city in the country. In most municipalities the collection service and disposal of solid waste is por as was the case that we study of the inhabitants of La Chorrera a corregimiento of the municipality of Juan de Acosta in which gave origenerie of serious public health problems.

The improper disposal of solid waste is a source of proliferation rats, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, etc.  Which can transmit infectious diseases. The solid waste prepared improperly can generate gases, fumes and dusts that contribute to air pollution. The problem is growing, as the generation of waste is increasing and there are not enough places that can accommodate those residues with security.Product of poor waste management along with a lack of public awareness, problems occur as the accumulation of waste in certain areas or dumps. Also sometimes the informal garbage dumps is burned causing pollution problems, It is time to open our loos eyes to the reality that not only in our country if not the entire world, and do everything possible to prevent further sick our atmosphere .

posted by: Daniela Gomez Becerra

Earth Day!

The Earth Day was born on April 22nd 1970, as an iniciative to create conscience of the environmental problems like the pollution, the overcrowding, the biodiversity conservation and the natural resources management. It's principal creator was the U.S. senator Gaylord Nelson, and it has brought a lot of positives consecuences like the differents summits (for example: Estocolmo, Rio de Janeiro),  and the growing eco-activism and awareness around the world.

Posted by: Manuel Lopez

Visit #1

In our first visit,which took place on March 17, we wanted to have a general view of the situation in Chorrera, so we took a walk through the creek, which is the more affected place by the inadecuate waste management. We could realize that there was a serious problem, and it wasnt about garbage, it was about the bad habits and the lack of ecological education of the inhabitants, and, at the same time, the neglect of the goverment. Here, some of the activities we have done:

• Check the place where the problem is located, and take pictures as an evidence.
• Meeting with a community leader, in order to organize a reunion with more people to give them a conference.

Posted by: Manuel Lopez

R3

What is reduce, reuse and recycle?

—The key to be green and an environmentally responsible person is reducing, reusing and recycling (R3), so it is necessary to learn what’s the real meaning of this concepts and always use them in this order.

The first R (reduces): it means that in first place we should limit the number of purchases that we make in our home, so we should try to stop using unnecessary things that creates more garbage. For example, we could have just one computer in our houses.

The second R (reuse): it means that we should reuse items as much as possible before replacing them. If we have things that still working why are we going to change it for a new one? For example, it better to update our computer rather than buy a new one because we are reusing our computers, helping the environment and also saving money at the same time. However, if we do replace our computer, we should ensure that it, or its components, are reused; it is possible because many charitable organizations welcome donations of second-hand computers.

The third R (recycle): it means that we should ensure that the items we stop using or their components are put to some new purpose as much as possible. For example if we really need to replace our computer, we can donate the old one to several organizations, which will refurbish it or recycle its components.

Sometimes people use a fourth R that can be either rethink or recover. Rethink means that we should consider all the options we have and think about the impact it will have on the environment. Recover means that we can use waste produce for something else. For example, decomposing garbage produces methane gas, which some landfill sites recover and burn for energy rather than letting it dissipate.

As we can see all this actions are very easy to do and it only depends in ourselves to really help the environment in the best way we can do it. So what are you waiting? Start using the R3 right now!

posted by: Shelley Suddy

Objectives

General Goal:

Teach Chorrera’s inhabitants how to manage the waste for the preservation of their environment.

Specific objectives: 

1.    Identify the more affected places.

2.    Raise awareness about the danger of poor waste management.

3.  Work with the community in order to change their habits about the waste management.

4.    Implement strategies for the learning of the 3R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Chorrera: An Overview

·   Chorrera is located in the southeast part of Juan of Acosta’s municipality, approximately five kilometers, in margin right hand of the route that leads Baranoa. Its inhabitants do not have an ecological culture with the waste management and they throw all the waste to a creek near the municipality.  It has become a serious problem, because it has brought consequences such as illness, by the decomposition of waste, which also brings unpleasant odors that directly affect the population.

Pikitup campaing

Carried out on January 2001, in Johannesburg, but then it was expanded to all South Africa. Pikitup developed different activities to impact this society, include distributing information-filled posters and pamphlets, publishing media releases, holding exhibitions and interacting with clients. They also visit from house to house interacting with the residents on environmental issues. For schools, the utility uses edutainment and presentations to bring children on board. The edutainment takes the form of industrial plays, with emphasis on environmental challenges, consequences and steps to be taken to prevent the degradation of the environment.The society reacts in a positive way, because every day more people make part of the campaign. It was very successful, and it is proved in the way that was expanded to other cities. Also the objectives they aim at their beginnings where achieved, such as create a waste management conscious in the society, but today they have new ones. V

isit Pikitup's page: http://www.pikitup.co.za/