This is the way it has been since they have lived here. Tourists more often than not come from parts of the world where garbage has been addressed on a number of levels. Public health . Unfortunately, garbage is much more complex than this. The people that live in Brasalito have many more important things to deal with than trash blowing around the beach and central square.
Economic opportunities are limited.
While tourism has created some opportunities, most often they pay minimum wages and provide little long-term security. Many families live in Spartan conditions compared to standards in industrialized countries, some living with palm thatched roofs, dirt floors, and no indoor plumbing. To complicate matters further, garbage utility service is a challenge for community governments to provide on a consistent basis considering the thin budgets available to them. We approached our first eco-intervention with the best of intentions and thoroughly enjoyed working with the kids and seeing the progress made in a few short hours. While the long-term effects of our project are likely limited, it was certainly a beginning.