“Locos por Reciclar 2024” celebrated creativity and recycling in several northern towns

Awards ceremonies for the “Locos por Reciclar 2024” contest were held in three municipalities and attracted large crowds. Backed by SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition and the Mr. Barber Foundation, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tocopilla, the initiative brought together schools, neighborhood councils and social organizations to raise environmental awareness.

In the towns of Tocopilla, María Elena and Quillagua, the participants paraded along an extensive “green carpet,” exhibiting impressive costumes made entirely from recycled or reused materials, inspired by movie and cartoon characters.

Carolina Elgueta, director of the Mr. Barber Foundation, described the initiative as “a socio-educational program for schools and the general community to implement recycling at source, both at home and in schools, from a more creative perspective.”

Leonor González, Head of Pampa Community Relations for SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, pointed out that “generating these opportunities undoubtedly brings communities closer to the concepts of environmental stewardship, generating unique knowledge and developing skills in the youngest children that later allow them to transform resources into life and progress.”

CONTEST

The contest gave out awards in three categories: “Ecosplay,” “TikTok Trend” and “Collecting Bottle Caps.” For the final category, over 950 kilos of plastic bottle caps were collected, which will be used as raw material to make flowerpots and coasters.

For Constanza Olivares, a parent at the Carlos Condell School in Tocopilla, the activity is key to early childhood development. “We worked together with all the parents in the class to gather the plastic bottle caps, cardboard and everything we needed to make the costume so that it would turn out as well as possible. It was hard work, so we are happy to have won and to see the children happy.”

This activity not only celebrated the winners, but also reaffirmed the importance of recycling and the fundamental role of communities in protecting the environment, showcasing creativity and collaborative work and inspiring future generations.