Proposal

CycloFant

The problem, located in Río Verde, a town in Colonia de Oblatos, Guadalajara, Mexico, is multifaceted, centered on inadequate solid waste management. This situation has led to the accumulation of garbage in the streets, creating pockets of infection and negatively affecting the quality of life of residents. The geography of the area, with housing units built on hills and the lack of efficient public services, such as garbage collection and street lighting, aggravates the problem. The lack of recreational spaces and the unfavorable socioeconomic conditions of the inhabitants contribute to the complexity of the situation (GDL Route 2030, 2023).

According to IIEG data on Jalisco (IIEG, IIEG b., 2024; INEGI 2020):

• Population: 8, 348, 151
• Percentage of working poverty, 22%
• Population living in poverty, 21.84%. 
• Human Development Index: 0.751 .
• Gini Index: 0.366 vs. 0.431 National.

According to data from the IIEG Jalisco on Oblatos, some demographic and socioeconomic characteristics (IIEG, 2020):

• Population: 26,844;  48.4% men and 51.5% women.
• 19,813 people over the age of 18, i.e., 73.8%. 
• Average schooling of the population aged 15 years and over: 10.3 years.
• 53.2% of the population aged 12 and over is economically active.

This area is delimited by four main roads and comprises between 26 and 30 blocks that distribute the residential areas. Regarding the socioeconomic conditions and the context, it suggests that the locality has medium to low resource conditions, with limited access to recreational areas and public services, this is known from a participatory diagnosis (GDL Route 2030, 2023) made to residents. Figure 1 shows residents’ responses to what they recognize as icon places (blue), mobility problems (yellow), environmental risks (green) and social risks (red).

Those affected by this problem are mainly the residents of Río Verde, who suffer the direct consequences of poor waste management. This includes people who live in the highest parts of the hills, who are unable to get their waste down in time for collection, as well as residents of main streets where garbage accumulates. In addition, the situation indirectly affects the wider community due to risks to public health and the environment.

Figure 1. Participatory Diagnostic Results 

 

Source: Data retrieved in November 2023 from participation in GDL 2030 Route Diagnosis.

The severity of the problem is considerable, not only does it affect the health and well-being of individuals, it also has long-term environmental and social implications. The accumulation of trash can lead to the proliferation of diseases, contamination of the local river, and decreased security in the area due to darkness and the presence of gangs (Parra and Meganoticias, 2023; Gómez, 2022, Rodríguez, 2021).

The urgency of addressing this issue is high. It requires immediate action to prevent further damage to residents’ health and the environment. Early intervention would prevent the situation from deteriorating further and can help restore the dignity and quality of life to the community.

The proposed solution contributes to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in several ways (UN, 2015). By implementing a reward system based on the collection and recycling of mainly PET bottles and other waste, environmental responsibility (SDG12) is promoted and poverty (SDG1) is combated by providing educational and food resources in exchange for participating in recycling. Through a waste receiver-collector machine adapted with an electronic and software development system Intended for children, young people and the elderly see figure 2, this initiative promotes quality education (SDG4) by facilitating access to school materials and supports good health and well-being to these segment of people (SDG3) by reducing the health risks associated with the accumulation of garbage. It also promotes gender equality (SDG5) by providing equal opportunities for all community members to participate in the rewards program. Finally, by improving waste management, it contributes to the life of more sustainable terrestrial ecosystems (SDG15) and climate action (SDG13), mitigating the effects of climate change through effective recycling practices.

Figure 2. Prototype Garbage Separator-Collector Machine

Source: GDL 2030 Route Program. Participatory validation, December 13th, 2023, Cuauhtémoc Community Center, Oblatos, Guadalajara. 

It is proposed to place this machine outside the schools, where it will be better cared for by the community and will generate a culture of recycling. This proposal is validated by the residents of the colony.

IIEG (2020) Sociodemographic Analysis of the Oblatos Colony in Guadalajara. 

https://iieg.gob.mx/ns/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Analisis-713-OBLATOS.pdf

IIEG (2024). Institute of Statistical and Geographic Information of Jalisco. https://iieg.gob.mx/ns/

IIEG b. (March 9th, 2024) Monthly Economic Bulletin. Institute of Statistical and Geographic Information of Jalisco. 

https://iieg.gob.mx/ns/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Boletin-Economico-IIEG-marzo-2024.pdf

INEGI. (2020) Consultation of sociodemographic and economic indicators by geographical area. State of Jalisco. National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Information. https://www.inegi.org.mx/

Gómez, E. (June 29th, 2022). Security in Jalisco: Two men shot dead east of Guadalajara. Informador.mx. Retrieved from https://www.informador.mx/jalisco/Seguridad-en-Jalisco-Asesinan-a-balazos-a-dos-hombres-al-oriente-de-Guadalajara-20220629-0056.html

Meganoticias. (November 15th, 2023). Woman dies after being run over in Oblatos. Retrieved from https://www.meganoticias.mx/guadalajara/noticia/mueren-mujer-atropellada-en-oblatos/437840

United Nations (2015). United Nations General Assembly, 70th session. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ares70d1_es.pdf

Parra, A. (August 23rd, 2023). Woman chased by armed men in the Tetlán Río Verde neighborhood, Guadalajara. Azteca Noticias Jalisco. Retrieved from https://www.aztecajalisco.com/azteca-noticias/mujer-perseguida-sujetos-armados-colonia-tetlan-rio-verde

Rodríguez, K. (July 19th, 2021). They suffer flooding due to lack of cleaning in the eastern channel of Guadalajara. MILENIO news. Retrieved from  https://www.milenio.com/politica/comunidad/inundaciones-guadalajara-causa-estragos-unidad-tetlan-rio-verde

GDL 2030 Route (2023). Social Entrepreneurship Program.

https://www.emprendimientosocial.mx/

GDL 2030 Route (2023). Results: Participatory diagnosis. Interviews with residents of Río Verde. [Folder with documents]

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d5fhGfwyg3D5zBmYydd6SdrVFr9gYQE6?usp=drive_link