World Environment Day Celebrations

The event was part of the binational Border 2020 Program that is funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support environmental sustainability along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Jorge Hernandez, Project Manager for the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), said that this binational organization funded the development of other events similar to this fair, to educate the public about household hazardous waste management. He explained that funding was allocated to this project as part of the Border 2020 Program led by the EPA and SEMARNAT. He also said that under this project, an assessment of local household waste management will be made, in addition to developing training workshops and implementing waste collection events.

"It is important to educate and raise awareness among children because they are their parents' teachers and they will replicate what they see in their homes," he said.

The project to assess household hazardous waste management in Ciudad Juarez began weeks ago at the Misiones Mall, and the Ecology Fair to commemorate World Environment Day was the first training workshop.

Francisco Sánchez García, president of Eco Recikla, the company responsible for the project, said that a four-minute informative talk helps children learn about the proper disposal of household toxic waste.

He said the company has a website for children and the public to look up hazardous chemical data sheets at home, so they can familiarize themselves with their properties and identify if they have harmful effects on health. He said the campaign also includes collecting household hazardous wastes in order to give them proper disposal and prevent contamination. He thanked the BECC for their interest in promoting initiatives that benefit the environment along the border.

Games, drama skits, and practical exercises were the backdrop for the more than 2,000 children who attended the event held at the Chamizal Museum to learn more about caring for the environment, interacting with wildlife while minimizing damage, and properly disposing of toxic waste.

"I learned that we should not throw garbage on the street and how important it is to recycle so Earth won't suffer," said Kenia, a first grade student at Abraham González Elementary School.

Sandra Jimenez, a teacher at the same school, said it is very positive that children learn at an early age that their actions have an impact on the environment and receive education to understand how to care for it.

This event also included the participation of the Municipal Government through the Department of Ecology and Civil Protection.

The director of this agency, Raul de Leon Apraez, said the city has been able to increase environmental awareness and by empowering children, the benefits extend to the entire population and into the future.

Some of the key activities planned for the aforementioned project include:
1. Estimating the volume of household hazardous waste generated at the local level.
2. Proposing a sustainable hazardous waste collection and disposal strategy, in conjunction with local and federal authorities.
3. Developing a promotional/education campaign focused on the importance of proper hazardous waste management.
4. Conducting large-scale waste collection, education, and outreach events.