The RecyclArt story began in 2006 within the Terra Nostra Association and in partnership with the Recycling Coalition group, represented by Alexis Fournier. Terra Nostra saw this project of great interest due to the reuse of waste that is normally thrown away or at best recycled. Within the framework of environmental education and especially since the issue of proper waste management, practice interested reuse before recycling. For this reason and in order to generate alternative income for women working in waste recovery centers and recycling in rural areas, Reciclarte was born. 

Within this framework, twelve women in three remote communities began to be trained in jewelry design made from recyclable material recovered at the collection centers that they manage themselves.

This original initiative mixes art, crafts, reuse and waste assessment, environmental education and gender equality, with social inclusion.

With the administrative and logistical support of the Terra Nostra Association and coordinated by Alexis Fournier with a group of environmental volunteers from the Recycling Coalition group, they began designing and trained recyclers women how to weave aluminium pull-tabs from discarded beverage cans and fabric remnants to make unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings, belts and handbags.

The original and attractive fashion accessories began to be offered in hotel stores, galleries and souvenir shops in Costa Rica, since late 2007 in response to a small market for eco-tourists.

To meet the challenge of expanding the jewelry-making activity, while the community continues recovering waste for recycling, they needed to incorporate into the project more recycling centers and rural artisans. Further training was necessary, which in turn require higher sales volumes.

To achieve the goal of expansion a strategic alliance with Terra Nostra Association was strengthened, dedicated to environmental education. The administrative structure and logistics of ATN strongly supports marketing activities of the project and seeking funding for development.

Hewlett Packard of Costa Rica was the first to provide training funding for RecyclArt in 2010. The Ford Motor Company Foundation followed suit in 2011. It was the Costa Rican bottling and beverage corporation Florida Ice and Farm that offered generous financial support for the purposes of market development for the project and for its products.

Still requiring on-going funding to train more women to meet market demands, these “campesina conservationistas” now address the first-world consumer, whose environmental awareness and buying-power can lend a hand to these creative and courageous women, to help their recycling centers survive, and to develop a culture of recycling in Central America.

RecyclArt has trained and supports the following groups of women recyclers:

- ASOFAMISAE - San Antonio de Escazú

- AREMUBA - Bagaces

- Damas Unidas - Coto Brus

- ADATA - Isla de Chira

- Ei'Pa Artesanía Indígena - Talamanca

- Recuperadoras 11 de abril - Palmar Norte

- Tierra Nueva de Osa - Los Mogos