Mexico City ( CNN ) -- A new barter market in Mexico City is helping residents trade their trash for food in an effort to reduce the mountain of waste produced by the mega city . Mexico City 's huge , infamous Bordo Poniente landfill site was receiving 12,600 tons of waste a day -- one and a quarter times the weight of the Eiffel Tower -- before it was shut down in December last year . But although the landfill is is no longer in operation , the city keeps churning out trash . That 's why the local government has launched several measures to reduce the waste created by the 20 million people who call the city home . The Mercado de Trueque began in March this year and has proved an instant hit with residents . Jose Luis Aranda is one of thousands of locals who are now making regular visits to the market held once a month in the city 's Chapultepec Park . Along with his housemates , Aranda brings along glass , plastic and cardboard waste , which is separated and weighed . He is then given vouchers , which can be exchanged at a nearby farmers ' market . The vendors at the market hail from local farms , adding the benefit of attracting shoppers to locally produced food . For Aranda , it 's not just about buying vegetables to eat . He also picks up baby lettuce plants , which he plans to grow at home and sell at the market when he visits again . If he does , it would bring the city 's plan full circle , essentially turning trash into food . Earth Summit : Can Rio +20 solve world 's environmental problems ?
New bartering scheme in Mexico City helping residents exchange trash for fresh food . The Mercado de Trueque encourages people to recycle paper , glass and plastic . In return , residents receive vouchers that are exchanged for produce at a farmers ' market .