Cancún to Continue Using Parcel 175 for Sargazo Disposal in 2026

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Sargazo seaweed collected from Cancún’s beaches will continue to be disposed of this year at the designated cell in parcel 175, the director of Solución Integral de Residuos Sólidos (Siresol), Franz Ancira Martínez, confirmed.

With a similar influx of sargazo expected in 2026 as was recorded in 2025—a phenomenon that began in January—the same space within the Integral Center will remain in use. Ancira Martínez noted that a specific area was prepared there for unloading the macroalgae.

He assured that the site has the necessary infrastructure to receive this type of waste without affecting urban garbage management.

Cell Has Environmental Permits

Ancira Martínez detailed that the cell designated for sargazo management complies with the corresponding environmental permits. This prevents leaks into the subsoil and ensures proper containment.

He emphasized that the plant material is not mixed with municipal solid waste and that its handling follows specific technical criteria. Collection on beaches is handled by the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone Directorate (Zofemat) and Public Services, while transport to the landfill falls to the municipal Public Services department.

If greater capacity is needed, the necessary permits will be requested to enable another cell on the same property or in an alternate area, pending progress on the state’s Integral Sanitation and Circular Economy Collection Center project.

Ciprés Operates Only as Disposal Site

On another topic, the Siresol head acknowledged that the Integral Waste Processing Center (Ciprés), also located in parcel 175 and operated by a concessionaire company, currently does not perform waste separation. “For now, the method used is solely disposal,” he said, though he left open the possibility of implementing some classification scheme in the future.

Waste Generation Increases in the Region

The growth of tourist and residential developments in the continental zone of Isla Mujeres, particularly in Costa Mujeres, has led to a significant increase in waste generation. According to official data:

• The daily volume rose from 1,300 tons to nearly 1,800 tons.
• The continental zone of Isla Mujeres contributes between 150 and 200 tons daily.
• Puerto Morelos generates between 40 and 80 tons.
• Benito Juárez concentrates the largest percentage of waste.

The total volume includes waste generated in Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Cancún.