Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The municipal government of Playa del Carmen has launched a permanent program to collect and recycle used tires, aiming to reduce mosquito breeding sites and prevent illegal dumping.
The program, run by the Municipal Public Services Department in coordination with the organization Nómadas: Manejo Integral de Residuos, targets households and sets limits on the number of tires accepted, along with designated hours and a fixed collection center.
Officials said abandoned tires are a major source of stagnant water during the rainy season, creating ideal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The initiative also seeks to curb environmental pollution from tires left on streets, vacant lots, and green areas.
What Tires Are Accepted and How Many
Each household can drop off up to four used tires. Only tires from bicycles, motorcycles, and private cars are accepted. Tires from trucks, tractors, buses, and heavy vehicles are not eligible due to different processing requirements and capacity limits.
Location and Hours
The collection center is located at the Municipal Public Services Department on Avenida Jacinto Pat, between Avenidas Chemuyil and Playa del Carmen. It operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What Happens to the Recycled Tires
All collected tires will be sent to specialized recycling facilities where they will be processed into materials for asphalt, waterproofing, and urban furniture. This prevents tires from being abandoned in public spaces or burned illegally, reducing the environmental impact of this special waste.
For questions, residents can contact the Public Services Department via WhatsApp at 984 156 3991. Officials urged families to check their patios and lots for unused tires to help keep the city clean and reduce mosquito-borne disease risks.
