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In order to consolidate and reinforce the educational recycling campaign, the Foundation together with the National Park are designing a number of workshops for teachers of local schools. The main topics will focus on the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling. Also the Foundation with the help of the Municipality is coordinating field trips for the local students to the Center. This will help the students to learn about the process and to understand the importance of recycling.

Educational Cruises

The Galapagos Ecuador Foundation coordinates a program for local students that consists in providing cruises on board our partners’ ships to experience the islands and the operations on board a tourist ship. This program is developed together with the Galapagos Tour Operators Association.

Interpretation Center about Recycling

One of the projects that the Foundation has made a reality is the creation of an Interpretation Center about Recycling, which has been conceived as a complement to the Recycling Center of solid waste. The town of Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island, is the most populated of the Archipelago. In order to ensure a successful waste management program it is necessary to create awareness in the local community about the importance of garbage recycling.

The contents of the panels at the Center are focused on the importance of waste management, and are accompanied by detailed descriptions that range from garbage classification at its origins to the final destination of the recycled material.

The Center takes visitors through the history of garbage and the negative consequences if neglected or improperly handled; the importance of a recycling program for the preservation of the islands; the appropriate way of doing garbage classification at its origin; the process of garbage recycling; and, recommendations on how to develop environmentally friendly consumption habits; among other helpful information. The itinerary ends with a guided visit to the rest of installations at the recycling Center.

Education on waste management is important everywhere but it is imperative in an island that is part of a Natural Heritage Site. Thus, the main objective of creating an Interpretation Center is to educate the local community and to encourage them to develop habits that are environmentally friendly.