Get ready for the bag ban
By Michaella Rodriguez

Mesh bags can be reused and prevent waste

On March 17, 2009, the Legislative Assembly of the Distrito Federal of Mexico approved a modification to the Solid Waste Law to prohibit the free distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags in supermarkets and commercial centers. This reform came about with the increasing awareness of the need to protect the environment.

The new measure raised concerns about the future of manufacturers of plastic bags that are not biodegradable and a possible rise in unemployment due to the application of the law. The objective is to encourage commercial centers and consumers to use bags made of biodegradable plastics or fabric, which can be marketed in the same stores where the ban takes effect, and while not free, they may be reused.

On August 19, the reform went into full effect in the Distrito Federal, as commercial centers discontinued free distribution to their customers of non-biodegradable bags. Despite increased vigor in application, officials may not begin to enforce sanctions for violations of the law for a year.


Non-biodegradable plastic bags take a toll on the environment

With the new directive, Mexico City becomes the second largest metropolis in the Western Hemisphere to ban the bags and joins cities across the globe in an effort to decrease pollution and harm to the environment. As the Distrito Federal sets the standard for the rest of the Mexican Republic, one can assume this measure eventually will affect San Miguel.



Recycle and reuse plastic bags

Many of us already reuse plastic bags or carry cloth and other eco-friendly bags for shopping and getting around town. We can continue this practice and encourage others to do the same in an effort to reduce our impact on the environment and to economize.

Here are a few ideas for reusing and recycling plastic bags you may already have stockpiled. Next time you head to the grocery store or the Tianguis, take a couple with you to bring your goodies home. Travellers can use plastic bags for packing, for example, by putting items likely to spill inside them, or cushioning breakable items with the bags. Reuse plastic bags as liners for small trash cans around your home and office instead of buying trash liners at the store—less waste and less money spent!

So maybe it’s not the same as a closet organizer from The Container Store, but why not use those plastic bags to store items and systematize your living space? Or, get crafty! Children and adults alike can harness creative energy to reuse bags in craft projects, making costumes, planters or placemats, or using them to protect work surfaces.

San Miguel can get ahead of the game by starting to recycle and reuse plastic bags. We offer just a few suggestions to stay eco-friendly. Atención wants to hear your ideas; send them to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org. 

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What’s Blooming Now?
By Richard Cretcher

Wildflower scene at El Charco

Lanterns and hearts—how could nature be more creative? Farolitos (little lanterns) have the English common name of “love in a puff.” When these lanterns dry up in the fall, their seeds inside become dark with light-colored hearts on them. The photo shown here permits easy identification of the plant. Look for the little white flower, the distinctive leaf pattern and the lantern. These plants can be found on the lower paths along the presa and the canyon. They often show both the flower and puff this time of year.

Recent rains have helped bring out some additional wildflowers; however, many are still smaller and less conspicuous than normal for this time of year. Seen recently near the multiple-use dome and on the upper canyon paths are muela de caballo (common sow thistle), cinco llagas (Mexican marigold), verbina (prism bouchea), herba del cuervo (low rattlebox), capitaneja (heliopsis), and the escobilla (aster). Along the lower canyon trail are some favorite tiny flowers: aretitos (scarlet beeblossom) and the ojo de vibora (slender dwarf morning glory). These tiny blue blooms are often less that 3/8 of an inch in diameter.

More details, including the scientific names of these plants, can be found in the pocket guide Flores Silvestres. Remember: to enjoy the wildflower season, you don’t have to go farther than El Charco. Get ready for the large flower displays of girasol (tithonia) and mirasol (cosmos) in late September and October. The girasol are appearing already along the highways.



Richard Cretcher has published the wildflower pocket guide Flores Silvestres, available at La Tienda in the Biblioteca, El Charco, Libros el Tecolote, Border Crossings, La Conexión and Terra.

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Teaching kids to take care of the planet
By Francisco J. Marin

A few months ago I became part of San Miguel Viejo’s project Ojalá, volunteering one day a week. Ojalá involves young children from 3 to 13 years old in creative activities such as handicrafts, drawing, painting and singing. Seeing the enthusiasm with which the children were developing their projects, it occurred to me to talk with the older ones about the concepts of ecology. I explained to them the problems our planet faces due to the indiscriminate use of packaging and non-biodegradable materials derived from petroleum.

As they listened I could see their interest and they started to understand why the practice of separating organic and inorganic waste is important. After listening to their opinions and suggestions, we decided to build a composting box in the simplest and most economical way, based on the wooden crates used for packing fruits and vegetables. The following week I got some crates in the markets and performed a few tests with tools as simple as a handsaw, a hammer and nails.

At the next meeting, I organized the little ones in two teams of three each. I directed and supervised them until each team had its composting box ready to be painted with their drawings and ideas. You could see they took great satisfaction in seeing their work completed. They decided among themselves to take the boxes home to start using them, with instructions to build two more the next week and in that way, little by little, get to a point where each house and each family would have a composting box made by these children of San Miguel Viejo.

The idea is that once the pilot program is running smoothly in that town, it can be expanded to the neighboring communities around San Miguel de Allende. In the same way we hope to tackle the topic of rainwater harvesting using plastic barrels. 

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San Miguel’s organic movement
By Molly Blakemore

Vía Orgánica announces new developments in the organization as it continues to grow with the help enthusiastic supporters. Five new projects are the tienda, Amigos group, a website, yoga classes and monthly workshops.

The tienda recently was closed for two days of remodeling to add a second story. The expansion’s extra room now houses all of Vía Orgánica’s produce, relieves traffic congestion and back-up at the register, and opens up space for browsing inside the store. Seating for Tapas restaurant is now available on the back and front patios. You are invited to visit at Margarito Ledezma 2 in Colonia Guadalupe, down the road from Fábrica la Aurora.

Amigos de Vía Orgánica met for the first time on September 21, a chance for San Miguel’s organic enthusiasts and everyone who is supportive of the Vía Orgánica mission to become part of the organization. They discussed volunteer projects, upcoming events, fundraising and community outreach opportunities. The meeting, held on the new back patio of Tapas restaurant, offered a chance to see the new store, do some shopping and get to know the organization.

The website in Spanish is up and running; visit www.viaorganica.org and generate traffic! Modeled after the Organic Consumers Association’s website in the US, this is a place for people to keep up with news about organics, health, fair trade, environmental sustainability, food sovereignty and Vía Orgánica events in Mexico. Eventually, the group will post a weekly newsletter in English and Spanish, Noticias Vía Orgánica.

Yoga classes will be Tuesdays at 11am with Ximena Velasco and Thursdays at 10am with Paige Ramey. The class is 100 pesos, and anyone who attends is welcome to buy fresh produce directly from Vía Orgánica’s farm and greenhouse. The yoga studio is a roomy, professional space featuring soft wooden floors designed with yoga in mind. Built into the hillside overlooking the verdant fields and the Río Laja riverbed, it is a relaxing, inviting atmosphere. Guests also are invited to take a swim in the thermal pool at the ranch for a small additional fee.

The farm school’s monthly workshop last took place on September 19, and included discussion of the peer-to-peer organic certification group, an eco-themed play, The Marvelous Story of Chiquito Pingüica, a seminar on organic nutrition and workshops on biofertilizer, bioinsecticides and chromatography. Attendees watched the closing film ¿Que comeremos mañana?.

Keep reading Atención for updates on Vía Orgánica’s developments and news about the next monthly workshop. Let’s keep Vía Orgánica growing!

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