When two EcoSouth colleagues stopped off in Switzerland enroute to India, they visited the a recycling center in Glarus and along with other local inhabitants sorted household waste into the clearly marked containers. They threw bottles into containers for green, brown and clear glass, and plastic bottles into another. They crushed tin cans and dropped them into in a letter-slot opening, tossed aluminum packaging into a large bag, and styrofoam into another recipient. They stacked cardboard in one place and bundles of newspapers in another. There were containers for old metal objects, for used batteries. Organic waste is collected separately. The recycling center has set opening hours and the inhabitants are obliged to sort their garbage. Garbage for other general waste is collected in special bags that can be purchased at the supermarket, included in the price is a special "tax" for garbage collection. There is no garbage dump!

The first 24 houses build by the ten apprentices have been finished. The apprentices have completed their first year of studies and have made real progress in the work. They have taken seriously the chance to learn a trade and are on the best way to graduate as formal masons next year. In November 2004 ten new apprentices entered the project and have started their two years cycle to obtain their diploma, recognized by the National Technological Institute of Nicaragua.