Recicletas is an innovative community recycling collection program, led by the Community Board of Don Bosco in partnership with Marea Verde Panamá.
Since its launch in March 2023, it has become a practical, sustainable, and replicable solution for promoting recycling directly from households.

What are Recicletas?

Recicletas are bicycles modified with wagons specially designed to collect recyclable materials door to door.
🚴‍♂️ Built from locally recovered materials, they produce zero emissions and represent a low-impact, high-social-value model.

For their construction, the following materials were reused:
🔧 Mountain bikes adapted with recycled metal frames
🛞 Second-hand wheels and axles recovered from motorcycle workshops
👜 “Bigbag” sacks donated by the company CALESA

The bikes were built by individuals in rehabilitation programs through the REMAR Association, promoting social inclusion and dignified employment.

Results that inspire

Since its implementation, the project has achieved:
♻️ Over 50 tons of 100% recyclable materials collected directly from homes in communities such as Teremar and La Riviera.
🏡 More than 365 households involved, strengthening recycling culture in the Don Bosco district.
👷‍♀️ Local job creation, integrating residents as collectors and environmental promoters.

A new chapter in 2025

With two years of experience, Recicletas enters a stage of expansion and improvement, introducing new elements to increase its reach and impact:

🛵 Extended coverage through a motorcycle adapted with a wagon, allowing access to neighborhoods farther from the collection center.
🏫 Educational activations in partnership with schools and local organizations, reinforcing environmental awareness.
📊 Impact measurement tools to optimize routes and track the volume of materials collected.

Recicletas shows that with ingenuity, creativity, and community commitment, it’s possible to transform waste management in areas with limited access to collection services.
Beyond reducing waste and preventing river and ocean pollution, the project helps build a more conscious and environmentally responsible community.

This effort is part of Marea Verde’s ecosystem of solutions, alongside:
🌊 Wanda Díaz, the river trash interception barrier
🏡 La Casa de Wanda, the interactive environmental education center

Together, they work toward one shared goal:
Reducing plastic pollution from its source to the sea.