Isla Contoy Cleanup Removes 249 Kilos of Waste From Marine Park

Isla Contoy, Quintana Roo — Sixty-four volunteers took part in the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup at Isla Contoy National Park, gathering 249.6 kilograms of waste in an effort to curb marine pollution and protect coastal ecosystems.

Delphinus organized the cleanup in coordination with Ocean Conservancy, with support from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), Xcaret Xailing and Catamarán by Xcaret.

Volunteers collected 156 kilograms of general trash, 55.1 kilograms of PET and other recyclable plastics, 29 kilograms of glass and 9.5 kilograms of microplastics.

A Protected Ecosystem

Holding the event at Isla Contoy carries particular weight because of the environmental value of the protected area, which is home to more than 150 bird species, beaches used by nesting sea turtles and the Ixlaché reef, considered one of the entry points to the Mesoamerican Reef System.

Access to the island is restricted to limit the impact of human activity and support conservation of its ecosystems. Cleanups and environmental education form part of the broader effort to preserve this corner of the Mexican Caribbean.

The waste removed during the event also underscores the persistence of marine pollution and the need for joint actions that combine cleanup, prevention and public awareness.

A Sustained Effort

According to Delphinus, the activity is part of an ongoing program. To date, the organization has taken part in 53 beach and coastal cleanups, mobilizing 6,153 volunteers who have helped remove 21.6 tonnes of waste from coastal and marine environments.

“I want to thank the volunteers who took part with such enthusiasm in this cleanup, which is held as part of the International Coastal Cleanup that Ocean Conservancy coordinates in more than 100 countries, and Delphinus, which has been our ally for so many years,” said Alejandra López, Ocean Conservancy’s international coordinator in Mexico.

The International Coastal Cleanup brings together volunteers in different countries to identify, collect and record the waste found in coastal areas, data that helps build understanding of the main sources and types of marine pollution.

Delphinus runs programs on the professional care of marine mammals, environmental education, scientific research and ecosystem conservation, along with initiatives on sustainability, community participation and collaboration with natural protected areas.