Moved by the rampant plastic pollution and overuse of chemical pesticides in the Los Llanos region of Guerrero, Mexico, Azulita's founders—Mike, Lainie, Erwing, and Pato—joined forces in 2008.
In its initial form, the Azulita Project was a volunteer “communitarian” effort which included organic farming education programs, a recycling project, a youth soccer league, dance instruction, English classes and a community space for teaching and gathering.
In 2014, the founders reorganized the recycling portion of the project in pursuit of an effective and sustainable business model. The concept was simple: create an economic incentive for people to recycle plastic and create well-paying jobs in rural Mexico. Our team in Los Llanos captures ocean-bound plastic, then cleans and sorts it at our collection facility for use in recycled products.
In 2016, the Azuita Project 501c3 was formed to support Mexico operations and start a local inland campaign to bring awareness to marine plastic pollution and influence plastic reduction in Mike and Lainie's hometown of Flagstaff, AZ.