Depletion of resources and pollution have costs that have not been integrated into the overall economic engine. In addition, Institute participants recommended that a sourcebook of successful examples of natural capitalism actions that can be used by the private sector and public officials in border communities. Ojinaga as an Example of Natural Capitalism Ojinaga, a small Mexican community in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande, is losing jobs and people because the land was so heavily irrigated that it is now lost to agriculture due to salinated soils. Partially treated wastewater is redirected away from its traditional sink, the Rio Grande, to recover the soils, raise trees, and recharge the groundwater. The pulp from the tree farm is harvested by the local community for a local paper mill replacing biomass from natural forests.
New habitat is created both for native animals and tourism and greenhouse gases are captured.
The community, economy, and environment all win. Border communities, particularly smaller U.S. communities and Mexican municipalities are overwhelmed with the challenges of providing environmental infrastructure. However, alternative approaches, technologies and reorganizations of existing functions can both save money in the mid-term and serve various environmental, community, and economic needs. Partial on-site treatment, for example, makes water available for flushing toilets, landscaping, and agriculture. Industrial pre-treatment prevents introduction of new toxins and contaminants to treatment systems unready for such components.