Cancún Cleans 17+ Tons of Waste from Vital Water Ecosystems

Cancún, Mexico — The city of Cancún has removed more than 17.64 metric tons of waste from its cenotes and freshwater wetlands as part of the ongoing Program for the Sanitation and Social Integration of Freshwater Wetlands. The initiative, led by Benito Juárez municipal authorities, has conducted over 10 cleanup operations to preserve these vital ecosystems.

A Collaborative Effort for Environmental Preservation

Benito Juárez Mayor Ana Paty Peralta announced the results of the program, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Cancún’s natural resources. According to the Directorate of Ecology, the municipality has identified 64 cenotes, caves, and water bodies, with 25 currently prioritized due to contamination from solid waste or wastewater.

“Environmental care is a priority. In Benito Juárez, we carry out daily environmental actions not just for the present but for the future of our city,” Peralta stated.

The most recent cleanup took place on June 6 in the Supermanzana 200 area, where 470 kilograms of waste—including urban solid waste and special handling materials such as mattresses and tires—were removed.

Community and Institutional Participation

The operation involved 38 volunteers, including local residents, members of the environmental group Centinelas del Agua, and employees from private companies such as the Hilton Cancún Mar Caribe Hotel, Aguakan, and Aventuras Kantun. Municipal agencies, including Ecology, Siresol, Civil Protection, and the Fire Department, also participated, alongside the State Health Ministry’s vector and zoonosis division.

Attendees received an educational session on the ecological, social, and cultural significance of cenotes and wetlands to reinforce environmental awareness.

The program underscores the city’s commitment to sustainable development and the protection of its natural heritage.