25 Tons of Tires Cleared from Cozumel to Fight Pollution

Cozumel, Mexico — More than 25 tons of tires were removed from the island of Cozumel this weekend as part of an effort to reduce pollution caused by discarded tires, which pose environmental and public health risks. The cleanup operation targeted tires abandoned in public spaces, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

A Broader Effort Against Pollution

Francisco Abad Vázquez, Deputy Director of CAMAR, stated that the initiative is part of a larger campaign to eliminate pollutants from the island, including plastics, glass, cardboard, and other hazardous materials such as discarded appliances.

On Saturday, June 7, the collected tires—retrieved from public roads, handed over by citizens, and delivered by local vulcanizing shops—were transported to CAMAR’s storage facility.

Strict Regulations for Tire Disposal

Abad Vázquez emphasized that all vulcanizing shops on the island must sign an agreement with CAMAR, committing to responsible disposal of used tires as a requirement for obtaining their operating licenses. This policy applies to all businesses handling tires, including repair shops and bicycle workshops.

The collected tires were compressed using a specialized press at the storage center after being cut into smaller pieces to maximize space efficiency during transport. The shipment was sent to Macuspana, Tabasco, where a recycling company will process the material.

Long-Term Environmental Impact

Abad Vázquez highlighted the urgency of removing tires from public areas, noting that their degradation process takes over 500 years. To mitigate mosquito proliferation at the CAMAR facility, workers apply larvicide powder and conduct regular fumigation to protect employees and nearby residents.

Another tire removal operation is scheduled within the next 15 days, with an estimated volume similar to the current shipment.