Playa del Carmen battles 300 illegal dumpsites in vacant lots

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Improper disposal of solid waste in public spaces has led to more than 300 vacant lots in Playa del Carmen becoming clandestine dumpsites, a problem that generates environmental pollution, mosquito proliferation, and health risks for the population.

This was reported by Lea Nelina Ke Canto, Director of Regulation and Environmental Sanitation of the Secretariat of Public Services, who explained that one of the main triggers of these micro-dumpsites is that citizens do not respect established schedules for taking out trash nor use appropriate containers or bags.

According to the official, a single abandoned bag in a lot or green area often triggers more people to deposit their waste there, quickly turning the site into a pollution hotspot. This situation worsens during the rainy season, when poorly managed waste ends up clogging drains and rainwater absorption wells, causing puddles and flooding.

Faced with this scenario, the Secretariat of Public Services has reinforced environmental education actions, having detected that a large part of municipal regulation violations are related to inadequate handling of household waste. Among the main recommendations are taking out waste only on the designated collection day and time, using thick bags, and having an appropriate container in each home.

As part of the preventive strategy, informational talks are held every Thursday of the month, in which citizens are explained the current regulations, correct practices for final waste disposal, and the consequences of non-compliance. These actions are complemented with activities aimed at children, with the goal of fostering shared responsibility in caring for the urban image from an early age.

The department has also promoted environmental education activities at community events like Chambamanía, where games, environmental memory games, and lotteries are used to teach proper waste separation and promote citizen participation.

In parallel, since May of last year, three key collection programs have been strengthened: handling of disused mattresses, tire recycling, and specialized collection of fats, bones, and bait from butcher shops. These wastes, the director explained, should not be deposited in common containers or vacant lots, as they require specific treatment.

To combat clandestine dumpsites, the Secretariat has placed signs in green areas, maintains an active hotline for flagrant denunciations, and urges the population to follow official social media channels, where information is provided about debris removal campaigns, collection centers, and current programs for proper waste disposal.