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Macarena Guajardo Mavroski - Chilean, Latin America and the Caribbean

2019 Winner | Environmentalist | Chilean

In nature there is no such thing as something which has no value. That's why garbage in nature does not exist – it is a human invention and it is up to us to stop generating it, while improving our quality of life. Today our lifestyle of consumerism is making us stressed and sick – and pushing us into ecological overdraft. By incorporating a series of simple strategies in everyday life, a person can generate between 50 percent and 90 percent less rubbish. With these strategies, I started the Trash Foundation. My life has changed from taking an hour each day in getting ready for my day, to taking only 15 minutes. I went from taking 40 minutes to work to 10 minutes by using my bicycle, which helps me keep in shape and avoid getting sick. By using conscious decision-making about our lifestyle choices, we can all be part of the change. We are a community, and our partners contribute to the organization with a monthly payment. We send our community information and tips so they can start their own transition at home. We have already implement 14 socio-environmental training courses to empower young people from all regions of Chile, and published two books in English and Spanish that have been around the world.

When I was small, there was no shopping mall in my town or money to spend on Christmas gifts. My mother always motivated me to create my own gifts, for which I walked the streets in search of opportunities sheltered in discarded things. During my architect training I discovered that imagination is something powerful, and I believe that through this, contaminated places can be transformed. I created the Trash Foundation.

Disclaimer: NOTE: This content was shared online for the 2019 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth programme and has not been updated. This listing does not constitute any endorsement by nor status with the UN Environment Programme.

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