Phoenix Thunderbird collects plastic lids to aid Caps for Kids With Cancer

The Rotary Club of Thunderbird Phoenix is asking clubs throughout the district to join them in an effort to help support children suffering from cancer in Mexico -- simply by collecting plastic caps to be recycled.

The club is asking clubs throughout the district to conduct community campaigns to collect small plastic caps and lids. The Rotary Club of Thunderbird Phoenix will transport the plastic lids to Mexico and donate them to an organization called AMANC, which sponsors a program called “Caps for Kids with Cancer.”

Lids made of HDPE are sold to plastic recyclers in Mexico, especially in Hermosillo, Sonora, for 11-18 cents per pound. Funds collected from the sale are managed by AMANC and donated to local clinics and families to help them pay for the medical expenses of the children with cancer.

Going beyond just collecting plastic lids, the Rotary Club of Thunderbird Phoenix recently collaborated with the Pitic Rotary Club of Hermosillo (Mexico) to purchase and place in the Phoenix area seven uniquely designed collection bins to make it easier for citizens to donate plastic caps to the program.

The club is in the process of placing heart-shaped metal Corazon collection bins at businesses and in communities throughout Phoenix. Plastic items can be easily dropped off at each Corazon bin, which is approximately six-feet wide, six-feet tall and three-feet in depth.

“Our Sister Rotary Club in Hermosillo has offered to have (the bins) made in Mexico for $400 each, which is the cost to build them in Hermosillo Mexico. The PITIC Rotary Club can help to move four at a time to Nogales, AZ and we would have to truck them up to Phoenix, AZ,” says Rigo Duran, president of Rotary Club of Thunderbird Phoenix and the Rotarian behind this project.

The two Rotary clubs are working with Destapitas, a nonprofit organization, to build and transport the bins to the United States. In 2021, Destapitas raised over $52,000 on its own to build the bins and to support and promote the Caps for Kids with Cancer program here in the Phoenix area.

The bins are chained to the ground or an adjoining structure and fumigated each month to keep them clean and free of contamination. Destapitas also provides containers made out of recycled plastic caps that are placed at schools to collect caps from the students.

The Rotary Club of Thunderbird Phoenix is in the process of placing the seven bins in Phoenix. Sponsors are being sought to expand the program and purchase/place additional collection bins throughout the district.

AMANC is the pioneer civil society organization in Mexico in helping children and adolescents with cancer. It was founded on June 15, 1982. In 23 states of the Republic, AMANC provides support services for cancer treatments, such as lodging, food, transportation, medication bank, and emotional support, among others. It promotes timely detection and fosters the inclusion of resilient patients, survivors, and families.

Once collected, lids are ground and converted into powder or pellets that are mixed with virgin plastic pellets of HDPE. They are converted into plastic products such as shoe soles, plastic trays, toys, new plastic caps/lids and more.

“This obviously also helps to keep our world Greener and friendlier and as a matter of fact, Mexico is one the leading countries in recycling plastic,” says Rigo.

“In Mexico, plastic bags are not used at the supermarkets, and the customers must bring their owns bags to pack their groceries. Also, straws are now made out of avocado seeds. No plastic straws are allowed anymore.”

The local Caps for Kids with Cancer project was initiated by Rigo when he was a member of the now-defunct Rotary Club of East Phoenix. He brought the project with him when he joined the Thunderbird Club.

“We as a Rotary club work on collecting all the plastic lids in our homes, neighboring homes, family, and friends and place them in bags to donate on behalf of our foundation to the de AMANC,” he adds.

For the time being, Rigo will collect the lids and then take them himself to Hermosillo, Mexico from time to time and deliver directly to AMANC Past President Ariadna Mercado Cordova.

For more information, contact Rigo Duran at gruptech_rigo@gruptech.com.

For information, visit https://www.amanc.org/.

For more information, visit https://infocancer.org.mx/

Rigo Duran, left, and District Governor Larry Horton, kick off a recent drive to collect plastic lids to support Caps for Kids With
Cancer.

A sample of the types of plastic lids and bottles sought by the Caps for Kids With Cancer campaign.

Several Corazone -- collection bins -- that will be situated throughout the Phoenix area to make it easier for citizens to donate their plastic lids.

Rigo Duran with a Corazone bin in Hermosillo, Mexico.