'I have done it for the last 15 years': The guerrilla Camposol recycling scheme that fills a hole in Mazarrón waste management
Camposol resident Ann Wamsley makes her own Christmas cards for sale, and also runs a unique recycling system to dispose of them after the festive season
We all know that rubbish, and the disposal of it, can sometimes be a hot topic in Spain, and not as straightforward as it at first should seem. Too many times we see garbage strewn around the bins instead of inside them, the wrong items going into the incorrect recycling areas, or simply recyclables going into the general waste to be buried as landfill as opposed to being given a second life.Try as they might, municipal services and schemes don’t always meet demand to solve these problems or to offer alternatives. That’s where community-driven initiatives can make a difference.
Ann Wamsley, a Camposol resident since the start of the millennium, has been on a mission to stop paper and card – and more specifically Christmas cards – from being chucked away in the wrong bin when they can be recycled into books, paper or other Christmas cards.
“As an avid recycler, I didn't like to see greeting cards in the basura,” says Ann. “Paper should not go to landfill.”
That’s why, for the last 15 years, she has been running and managing her own Christmas card recycling scheme for the residents of Camposol.
“We put boxes in the post room on Sector A, and at the post office and Best Wishes on Sector B, and down at Noah’s Arc in Puerto de Mazarrón.”
The boxes, which are put in place just after Christmas, are installed by Ann herself, with the generous assistance of the local businesses where they are located, and stay there up until the end of January. The idea is for people to bring their used Christmas cards and deposit them inside, to be recycled and given a new lease of life.
But it’s not just scrapping and pulping Christmas cards that Ann is into. A longtime Christmas maniac, she has done a deep dive into making and selling her own Christmas cards as well, some of which she donates to be used for Camposol’s charity raffle prizes in hampers and gift baskets.
“When we came here 25 years ago, you could not get English cards,” says Ann, “so I started a craft group making them. You could buy card and envelopes but not embellishments, so we cut out robins, trees and snowflakes from old cards.
“Over the years, some charities have done this. I make cards to sell in Noah’s Arc shop in the puerto each Christmas.”
If you fancy picking up some of Ann’s homemade Christmas cards to send to friends and family this year, you can get down to Noah’s Arc. And when early January rolls around and you’re all done with your Christmas cards, don’t forget to recycle them!
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Address
Calle Jara Camposol B Commercial Centre Urbanisation Camposol ...... Puerto De Mazarron Avenue Tierno Galvan Edif. Bahia Mar Bloque A Bajo 14 30860 Puerto De MazarronTel: 602 653639 (Rescue and Rehoming)
Mobile: Camposol Shop: 711 016236, Puerto de Mazarrón shop: 602 624521
Mobile: Camposol Shop: 711 016236, Puerto de Mazarrón shop: 602 624521
Noah's ARC have two charity shops in Puerto de Mazarrón and Camposol
Noah's ARC is a registered animal rescue charity, number 9.971/1 in the Murcia region of Spain, created to rescue injured, badly treated and abandoned animals.
Their main focus is the rescue and welfare of dogs, and while Noah's ARC currently only take in dogs they always try to help with any injured animal in the local areas of the bay of Mazarrón.
They are actively working to build more relationships with other animal charities throughout Europe to ensure that they can help re-home more animals, and also assist other charities and rescues locally where they can as they believe they can achieve far more for the animals if charities work together.
The main source of fundraising to finance the charity is via two shops selling second-hand goods and bric-a-brac, situated in Camposol (on the lower level of the B Sector Commercial centre) and at Avenida Tierno Galván, Edificio Bahía Mar, Bloque A Bajo 14, Puerto de Mazarrón.
The shops are always looking for donated furniture, clothes and bric-a-brac, which can be dropped off at either of the shops or for further information contact the Camposol shop (711 016236) or the Puerto Shop on 602 624521. For collection of larger items or house clearances contact the Camposol shop.
Both shops are open 10 am to 2 pm Monday to Saturday.
Noah's ARC have been rescuing dogs since 2001 and have grown from small beginnings to currently having over 100 dogs under their wing. Their rescue is run solely by dedicated volunteers and is funded entirely by donations and their charity shops.
They are always looking for foster homes for the many dogs in their care, could you foster even just short term to help a four-legged friend on their way to a forever home? If so contact them and find out what would be involved - or maybe you want to adopt? Again contact them and they will be more than happy to help you find your pooch who is eagerly waiting for you to call!
Rehoming and adoption 602 653639, or you can message the Facebook page (Noahs ARC Mazarron) or email janenahoming@gmail.com.
To report a distressed or abandoned animals: Rescue and emergency 603 206363 or 604 346163.
DONATIONS can be made via PayPal to: NA1Treasurer@gmail.com or phone 711 016236 for further information.
