Teocelo: Community Work Facing the Scarcity of Resources

Abstract

Teocelo is a town located 18 km away from Xalapa (Mexico). Like many small towns, it has problems with economic resources, however, faced with such shortage, the local government and the community, with the assistance of the University of Veracruz, have undertaken a number of sustainable projects. The benefits derived from this activity have an impact on the local economy, especially in the fields of education and environment. One of these is a production of worm compost (organic fertilizer). It is one of the most successful local initiatives. The inhabitants separate the waste, the recyclable part of it is sold to recycling companies and the organic, after vermicomposting, is also sold. Consequently, the citizens do not pay taxes for Teocelo public sanitation and the municipality gets benefits from selling recyclable waste and vermicomposting.