Mexican Recycling -- The Lack Thereof

Even as a young teen ager, exploring Tijuana with my parents, I noticed a certain, uh, messyness. Back in the early 50's Americans were starting to deal with trash-on-the-side-of-the-road, beginning a campaign to clean up, don't throw stuff out of car windows, be responsible. A hefty fine helped.

In the past few decades, (most) people in most countries have become aware that we MUST recycle to save our planet.

Not in Mexico.

Can't there be a force that could turn these folks around,and reward them for recycling -- partly with hard cash? Just as we have in America? I believe it must be done, and it's totally possible, with education.

In Acapulco, in addition to some ugly hillsides littered with discarded trash of all kinds, the streets are strewn with empty plastic bottles, paper, soda cans. Name it. We even noticed an obviously abandoned parked car during our walks into town that was filled with recyclables. In its front seat. Oh my.

We also noticed the problem during our week long stay in Ensenada last year. So it seems to be a country-wide crisis. Ideas?