Recycled Orchestra of Cateura

The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura is an inspiring ensemble of young musicians from Cateura, a marginalized community built around the largest landfill in Asunción, Paraguay. Founded in 2012 by environmental technician and musician Favio Chávez, the orchestra allows children and adolescents living in poverty to learn and perform music using instruments crafted entirely from reclaimed materials. These unique instruments—violins made from paint cans, saxophones from drainpipes, and drums from old X-ray films—are a result of the creative partnership between Chávez and local recycler and luthier Nicolás “Don Cola” Gómez. The orchestra’s motto, “The world sends us garbage. We send music back,” encapsulates their mission to transform waste into art and offer hope through creativity and education.

Since its inception, the Recycled Orchestra has gained international acclaim, performing alongside renowned artists worldwide, from Colombia to Switzerland, and everywhere in between. Their story has been featured in the award-winning documentary Landfill Harmonic, which highlights their journey from the slums of Cateura to global stages. Beyond performances, the orchestra’s music school offers free lessons to hundreds of students, fostering skills in music, creativity, and environmental awareness. By turning discarded materials into instruments and empowering youth through music, the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of art.