Guadalajara, Jalisco; December 18.—On November 5, 2025, the Guadalajara campus of the Universidad Panamericana became the epicenter of an event focused on environmental responsibility and solidarity. Through a strategic collaboration between the School of Business, student groups, and the Social Engagement department, the institution reaffirmed its leadership in promoting a culture of sustainability with a direct social impact.
Under the slogan “Recycling with a Cause”, the university community came together to carry out two simultaneous campaigns that demonstrate how waste management can translate into benefits for vulnerable sectors of society.
Partnerships That Transform Lives
The event included two key initiatives: the plastic bottle cap collection campaign, promoted by the Mi Compromiso Verde project, and the launch of the "Green Strings" Campaign, led by the ENACTUS Student Group.
- Impact on Children's Health: Through its bottle cap collection initiative, the university works closely with the Mi Gran Esperanza Foundation. This effort is not merely an environmental one; the materials collected help fund treatments and research for children battling cancer.
- Climate Solidarity: For its part, the Hilos Verdes project focuses its efforts on collecting PET bottles. This material is processed by external companies and transformed into blankets, which are distributed to vulnerable communities to help them cope with the cold.
Professor Patricia de la Torre, the head of Mi Compromiso Verde, notes that these actions show that every small gesture—such as separating a cap or returning a bottle—brings about profound change both for the planet and for society.
Results That Inspire
The university community’s response brought together students, staff, alumni, and members of the broader community in a large-scale collective effort. The results achieved during this event are a testament to the institution’s commitment.
The event brought together more than 170 participants and collected 345 kg of plastic bottle caps—which directly translates to funding equivalent to one round of chemotherapy—and 320 kg of PET bottles, which will be turned into blankets to support vulnerable communities.
This joint effort has a direct impact on multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including health and well-being (SDG 3), responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17), among others.
Student Leadership and Vision for the Future
For the students, this initiative presented a challenge in terms of implementation and logistics. Karola Reneé Ortiz Quezada, President of ENACTUS, noted that this first edition of Hilos Verdes was an enriching experience that confirmed the value of working together with faculty to drive positive change in our immediate surroundings.
“This first edition of the campaign was a major challenge, but also a deeply enriching experience. Seeing the team’s enthusiasm and the impact we were able to make confirmed that all the effort was worth it. We at ENACTUS are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the School of Business and to contribute, together, to driving positive change,” he noted.
Currently, Hilos Verdes is being implemented as a pilot project, with the goal of consolidating its processes and expanding its impact both on and off campus.
Finally, Ekatherine Acosta, M.A., head of Social Commitment, thanked all the participants, emphasizing that recycling not only protects the environment but also gives hope to entire families.
“On this occasion, we provided support to children with cancer and their families, as well as to people who will receive the quilts made from recycled bottles. Together, we’re changing the world,” said Ekatherine Acosta, M.A.
Through initiatives like this, the University of the West ( Universidad Panamericana ) demonstrates that its educational mission extends beyond the classroom, shaping leaders who are committed to the environment and society.
