Cancún’s Benito Juárez Recycling Drive Recovers 6.8 Tons of Waste

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Benito Juárez municipal government collected more than 6.8 tons of waste through its Residuo Cero (Zero Waste) recycling program, officials reported, as the city pushes to build stronger environmental habits among local families.

The program, run through the municipal solid waste agency SIRESOL (Solución Integral de Residuos Sólidos), encourages households to separate materials that can still be reused or recycled rather than sending them to landfills.

Three Collection Events, 572 Participants

Residuo Cero held three collection events in 2026 at the covered courts, or domos, of Supermanzanas 48, 517 and 96. A total of 572 people took part, turning in materials suitable for recovery.

The events recovered 6,822.06 kilograms of waste in all, of which 6,187.85 kilograms were recyclable or recoverable materials. The remaining 634.21 kilograms were non-recoverable.

What Was Collected

Among the largest categories recovered were:

• Scrap metal: 1,525.35 kilograms
• Cardboard: 971.50 kilograms
• Paper files and documents: 855.15 kilograms
• Electronic waste: 853.55 kilograms
• Newspapers and magazines: 535.10 kilograms
• Aluminum: 502.90 kilograms
• Glass: 347.75 kilograms
• PET plastic: 294.25 kilograms

Residents also handed over hard plastic, HDPE, food cans and plastic film.

Food Staples in Exchange for Recyclables

Beyond recovering materials, Residuo Cero aims to turn waste separation into a daily habit. Participants receive basic food staples in return for the materials they deliver, an arrangement officials say delivers a double benefit: it cuts the volume of material reaching final disposal sites and provides direct support to household budgets.

Free Services Alongside Recycling

The collection days also include a broader community assistance brigade offering free services, such as haircuts, optometry checks, medical consultations and veterinary care, along with plant giveaways.

The initiative draws on the public sector, private companies and civil society to make better use of recoverable materials and reduce environmental impact, municipal officials said.