PUERTO MORELOS, QR — The Environmental Departments of Puerto Morelos led a microplastic beach cleanup on Wednesday. The sifting of sand to remove microplastics was carried out at Access 6.
Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz stated that the microplastic cleanup day was held as part of the green axis of the Puerto Morelos Municipal Development Plan implemented for environmental protection. The activity was conducted at Access 6 Beach in coordination with the environmental directorates, the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone agency (Zofemat), and the Youth Institute, which invited citizens to participate in the cleanup.
"The beaches are an important source of income for the tourist destination and a public conservation policy," said the Director of Environment, Michel Mesta. "Microplastics are small particles of plastic, typically less than 5 millimeters in diameter, that are found in the environment due to the degradation of larger materials. They contaminate soils and oceans and can cause changes in ecosystems," he explained.
He added that approximately 70 people participated in the cleanup, including students from the Colegio de Bachilleres, who raked and sifted the sand to collect the waste.
Heriberto Prado Virgen, Director of Maintenance, Conservation, and Cleaning for Zofemat, said that at the end of the beach cleanup, four kilograms of solid microplastics were collected. In addition, plastics, PET bottles, chip bags, and other debris were collected, totaling 60 kilograms.
The General Director of the Municipal Youth Institute, Ernesto León Villanueva, said they will continue to promote youth participation to raise awareness about the ecological damage caused by waste in our environment.
"We must reiterate our call to the general population and our visitors to avoid leaving trash on the beaches. This represents a risk to the environment and the seas, as it can lead to the death of marine species," he said.
Approximately 70 people participated in Wednesday's beach event.
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