Cozumel Carnival Leaves 33 Tons of Trash, Highlighting Environmental Cost of Mass Events

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Cozumel’s Carnival celebrations left approximately 33 tons of trash across the island over just three days, exposing the significant environmental impact of mass tourism events in the popular destination.

The waste, primarily consisting of disposable containers, plastic bottles, cans, and single-use packaging, accumulated on sidewalks, green areas, roads, and along the shoreline as thousands attended parades and concerts along the waterfront and in tourist zones.

To prevent the trash from remaining visible by morning, around 60 workers from the Green Areas and Public Services departments worked extended shifts lasting up to 18 to 20 hours.

Local residents noted that despite the operational effort, the volume collected reflects not only the scale of the festivities but also the lack of effective strategies to reduce waste at events of this magnitude.

The impact intensified following the “Paint & Run” event, which left sections of the waterfront covered in colored powders. Cleaning this required 16 additional workers and three water trucks carrying approximately 30,000 liters of water, occurring as the island faces recurring reports of low water pressure and shortages in some neighborhoods.

The intensive water use for post-event cleanup drew criticism from citizens who argued that preventive measures should have been implemented.

They said the massive waste generation during celebrations contradicts the island’s promoted conservation efforts, particularly in a destination that bases its economy on an image of cleanliness and sustainability.

“It’s not about canceling events, but about planning them with clear environmental criteria, plastic reduction, and public co-responsibility,” said resident Alondra May.