By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

3 minutes read. Updated 2:00PM GMT Sat, June 8, 2024

Fashion Meets Recycling: Mexican fashion designer Camilo Morales has taken a unique approach to sustainability by upcycling election campaign banners into stylish tote bags. As Mexico concluded its local, state, and federal elections, Morales saw an opportunity to repurpose the vinyl political advertisements that had flooded the streets. His creative efforts align with a broader trend of finding innovative uses for campaign materials, which otherwise contribute significantly to waste.

A Trend Takes Off: Morales, known for upcycling various materials into fashion items under his label Rere, has turned his attention to these ubiquitous vinyl banners. He offers tote bags ranging from 100 pesos ($5.44) to 600 pesos ($32.63), with designs varying from plain white backgrounds to intricate collages. One of his most popular designs features the eyes of Clara Brugada, the ruling party’s candidate and the next mayor of Mexico City.

Election Season Waste: The sheer volume of campaign materials is staggering. Juan Manuel Nunez, a professor at the Iberoamerican University, estimates that Mexico City alone generated around 10,000 tons of trash from political publicity this election season. Despite logos marking them as recyclable, many of these banners, made from long-lasting PVC, end up in landfills.

A Push for Creativity: Morales isn’t alone in his creative recycling efforts. A TikTok user went viral for turning these banners into dog beds, and migrants have repurposed them into tents. The common thread is the innovative use of what would otherwise be waste, highlighting a grassroots push towards sustainability.

Election Law and Environmental Impact: According to Mexican election laws, political parties have four days post-election to remove their advertisements. However, the environmental impact remains a concern. While some efforts have been made to recycle these materials, much of it still poses a significant environmental threat due to its composition.

The work of designers like Camilo Morales showcases the potential for creativity to drive environmental consciousness. As the nation transitions with Claudia Sheinbaum set to become Mexico’s first female president, the hope is that such innovative recycling efforts will inspire broader initiatives to address environmental challenges.

For more on sustainable fashion and innovative recycling, follow us on Twitter and Instagram