Marce The Recycler is more than just a fictional character. Created in 2019 by Sara Samaniego, a Colombian journalist, Marce has become a symbol of recycling and environmental advocacy across Latin America.

Samaniego designed Marce to inspire young people to recycle and properly separate waste. The character also highlights the critical yet underappreciated work of recyclers in Colombia. From her first appearance on YouTube on May 13, 2019, Marce’s vibrant personality, blue overalls, braids, and backward cap captured the hearts of viewers across the country.

Initially, Sara sought actors to portray Marce but couldn’t find someone who embodied the essence she envisioned. A friend encouraged her to take on the role herself. Sara dove deep into the recycling community, spending months learning directly from informal recyclers. The result? A character who authentically reflects the lives of Colombia’s unsung environmental heroes.

Making Recycling Cool: Marce’s Rise on Social Media

Marce The Recycler quickly gained a loyal following on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Through engaging and educational videos, Samaniego uses Marce to teach viewers how to sort recyclables properly.

Her colorful aesthetic, cheerful demeanor and relatable content have made recycling approachable for people of all ages. A video explaining which items belong in white trash bags (recyclables) versus black trash bags (non-recyclables) catapulted her to national fame.

Samaniego’s impact doesn’t stop at digital education. She’s humanized the often-overlooked community of informal recyclers. These individuals—about 26,000 in Bogotá alone—sort through trash daily, earning only about $35 a week. Her videos encourage Colombians to clean and organize their waste, making the recyclers’ work more efficient and dignified.

Marce Turned Recycling Into a Social Cause

During the 2020 pandemic, Sara saw an opportunity to expand her impact beyond social media. She founded Reciclando Amor (Recycling Love), a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting recycling families. Many recyclers face discrimination, dangerous working conditions, and financial hardships.

Through the foundation, Sara and her team have delivered food supplies, provided healthcare support, and organized life-changing trips, such as taking recycling families to see the ocean for the first time.

“[Recyclers] are hardworking people,” Samaniego told the New York Times. Her work doesn’t just promote recycling—it uplifts the people behind it.

Educating the Next Generation

Marce The Recycler has become a beloved figure in schools across Colombia. Sara uses the character to introduce children to the concept of recycling and the role of recyclers as “superheroes.”

Her message resonates. Teachers like Gina Villabon from La Cascada have incorporated Marce’s lessons into their curriculum. During the pandemic, Villabon used Marce’s videos to teach environmental practices, according to the Times.

“The children know the color code very well, and at home, they are making an effort to separate the garbage,” Villabon shared. “And we have learned that from Marce.”

This grassroots approach has inspired children to view recycling as an essential task to protect the planet, with some even dreaming of becoming recyclers themselves.

From Local Icon to International Recognition

Marce The Recycler has gained international acclaim. In 2023, Samaniego received the Best Impact Story award at the Youth Assembly in New York. The award celebrated her creative approach to environmental education and advocacy.

For Samaniego, this recognition was a validation of her years of hard work. “Reciclamores, I can’t believe this is happening to me,” she said in a heartfelt video after receiving the honor.

Her work has not only amplified the voices of Colombia’s recyclers but also positioned her as a leader in environmental activism across Latin America.

The Human Behind Marce

Outside of her character, Sara Samaniego is a poised and professional digital marketer. She grew up in Bogotá and studied communications at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Her personal experiences with waste mismanagement in rural Colombia sparked her passion for recycling.

Today, she juggles life as a content creator, nonprofit founder, and advocate. Her attic-turned-studio is decorated with recycled materials, reflecting her commitment to sustainability.

Samaniego’s transformation into Marce is more than just putting on a jumpsuit and braiding her hair—it’s about embodying a mission to bring dignity, awareness, and appreciation to recyclers everywhere.

Marce’s Legacy: A Cleaner, Brighter Future

Through Marce The Recycler, Sara Samaniego has transformed how Colombians view waste management and the people who make it possible. Her work is not only educating new generations but also providing tangible support to the recycling community.

As Marce herself says, “We are saving the planet,” one piece of trash at a time.

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