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EntertainmentBogotá, Colombia

Recycling Revolution: How a Colombian Influencer Sparked a Movement in Waste Management

Sara Samaniego, known as Marce the Recycler, has become a trailblazer in promoting recycling and environmental awareness through social media.

By Genevieve Glatsky and Nathalia AngaritaSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Recycling Revolution: How a Colombian Influencer Sparked a Movement in Waste Management
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

In Bogotá, this charismatic influencer has created a vibrant community around proper waste separation, changing perceptions about recycling in Colombia.

In the bustling heart of Bogotá, Colombia, a vibrant movement has emerged, centered around a unique character—Marce the Recycler, played by influencer Sara Samaniego. Clad in her signature blue jumpsuit and sporting playful braids, Samaniego has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands of social media followers through entertaining and educational content focused on recycling and waste management.Filming in a sprawling recycling warehouse, Samaniego energetically lip-syncs to catchy rap tracks, seamlessly merging entertainment with a vital message on the importance of sorting and disposing of waste properly. With her colorful approach and engaging personality, she has established herself as the first prominent recycling influencer in Latin America, attracting diverse audiences on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.Through her social media antics, Marce the Recycler not only educates her followers on effective waste management practices but also spotlights the often-invisible community of informal recyclers in Bogotá. This group of around 26,000 individuals plays a crucial role in the city’s environmental landscape, collecting recyclables in an urban setting where formal waste collection services are almost nonexistent. Samaniego's initiatives have raised awareness about their contributions and livelihoods, giving these recycle warriors a voice in the community.By combining humor, education, and a genuine passion for the environment, Samaniego has transformed the narrative around recycling. Her endeavors have sparked enthusiasm among her fans, encouraging them to embrace sustainability in their daily lives. As her influence grows, so does the potential for meaningful change in waste management practices, not only in Colombia but potentially across the wider Latin American region as well.

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