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Maybe someone with better knowledge than I should look into this recycling business. How far is the nearest recycling plant? In Mexico? In Guatemala? What would be the laws in regards to crossing the boarder and how much money would it cost?

Since I started composting, my curb garbage has been reduced by almost half. If I was able to recycle all the glass and tin, there would be nothing left to burn at the dump. How nice would that be?

that's what i thought -- i mean re that it is all just being burned right now. would love to see recylcing started here in BZ what with all the plastic bottles and bags and styrofoam containers being used.

For anyone who recycles here in their own way, what are your top tips?

We use instant coffee jars to store water in the fridge as the lids keep water tasting fresh. Only trouble is we can only use so many jars.

I also try to recycle packaging when I can.

OK lets think about this, How far would you have to travel to take the recycled material, how much does gasoline or diesel cost in Belize? Recycling here in Belize has to start at home, composting is an excellent idea, reusing the glass bottles is another. We save ours and ask the local families if they need containers. We try not to buy stuff in plastic if we can afford it, unless the container can be reused. That is where recycling needs to start in Belize, I think. We even try to bring our own containers to the food vendors for our rice and beans and stewed chicken to avoid the styrofoam bloat.

Business opportunity for an aspiring Belizean???

This is one business venture for which there is no shortage of international funding.

that' what i would think - if there was a push to start recylcing and trash management(including a plant right here) it could get economic support, especially with all the development which is going to further strain the current (inadequate) system - I mean this region is considered one of the key biodiversity hotspots in the world

We do not really have a spot to compost at our apartment, but if there was a community garden or something I would be willing to make the effort.

Green house sells nice fabric bags for grocery shopping.

for example we can research what other island communities are doing:

http://news.caribseek.com/Barbados/article_59040.shtml

http://www.environcorp.com/img/media/SWM_Philippines_Paper.pdf

found these but haven't read them fully yet

another idea . . . how about inviting a university graduate program dealing in waste management solutions down to help us figure out what to do? i think a lot of students come down to study the reef and local environment but i have not yet heard of anyone studying in those areas being invited to the area

Here's an interesting article about recycling in guatemala. Maybe we can sell these guys all our plastic? Just a thought!
http://www.perc.org/perc.php?id=453