From Virtual Learning to Real Impact
Published on 7 January 2022, this blog shares the story of Viviana Brenes, a Sustainable Development Engineering student from Tuis, Cartago, Costa Rica. She is a Greentalist alumnai who launched a community clean-up project to tackle litter and waste. Her work inspired local action for cleaner and healthier public spaces. Motivated by her commitment to the environment and her community, Viviana turned concern into action after completing the virtual phase of Greentalist Nacional. Through youth-led volunteering, she created real change.
From observation to action: the first community clean-up project
In 2021, I started walking around my community and noticed a lot of litter and waste. Each time I passed those places, the problem felt bigger. It was not only visually unpleasant — it felt like a violation of my right to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. I began to ask myself: Why is it normal to see garbage on our streets? What can I do to change this?
I decided to plan an initiative to recover these spaces and create a sense of ownership through litter-picking campaigns. At first, I had doubts about how the community would respond. Still, my desire to become an environmental agent of change was stronger. I launched the first waste collection campaign and successfully recruited 11 participants.
Alliances and education for lasting impact
To our surprise, during the first clean-up campaign, we discovered an illegal dump near the river. It was seriously affecting the local water source. We knew we had to act. Our focus became protecting and conserving this resource, while also separating recoverable and non-recoverable materials.
To achieve this, we reached out to the local Aqueduct Association (ASADA) for support. From that collaboration, our recycling campaigns began to grow. At the time, our group of volunteers had limited knowledge about waste management. So, I organized educational sessions to share basic guidelines and practical tools for future clean-up efforts.
These learning spaces helped volunteers strengthen their connection to the project. They also felt grateful to see clean, safe, and friendly spaces restored.
This initiative was possible thanks to the seed funding from the Greentalist project. It also thrived through the support of volunteers, organizations, and local businesses, including ASADA, La Esmeralda Bakery, Suppliers of Goods and Services S.A., the local garbage collection service, San Francisco Soccer School, and the Eben-Ezer Material Factory.
Five campaigns, 72 volunteers, and a stronger community
So far, we have completed five waste collection campaigns, mobilizing 72 people to take action. In each campaign, volunteers worked with enthusiasm and commitment. Additionally, I have organized educational spaces to teach others how to separate solid waste responsibly. Moreover, I placed informational signs throughout the community to raise awareness about the conservation of our water resources.
We have also delivered a large amount of recyclable material to the proper entities for processing. As a result, the project has promoted respect for the fundamental human right to live in a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. Furthermore, it has created a safe and inclusive space for people who have faced social stigma due to addictions, helping them regain confidence and a sense of belonging.
I feel very proud of what we have achieved and deeply grateful for all the support received. Therefore, I am even more motivated to continue building positive environmental and social change in my community. In the end, being part of Greentalist projects helped me understand that young people are not the generation of the future we are the generation of the present. Every small action we take within our communities can, collectively, lead to great results.
If you want to get involved or get more information about this initiative, you can contact Viviana at the following email: brenesv97@gmail.com
