Playa del Carmen Recycling Program Collects Hundreds of Tons of Waste

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A municipal recycling program in Playa del Carmen has collected hundreds of tons of waste while promoting environmental awareness among residents and businesses.

The Reciclatón program, coordinated by the city’s Secretariat of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change, operates with 13 temporary collection points on the first Friday of each month plus one permanent facility.

Xóchilt Moctezuma, director of Environmental Management and Climate Change, said the program relies on participation from residents, businesses, hotels, developers, and collection companies to divert solid urban waste from landfills.

Recent monthly collections gathered 21 tons on January 9, 2026, 27 tons on February 6, and 24 tons on March 6. Cardboard, glass, and electronic waste were the most common materials delivered during these events.

The permanent collection point handled 33 tons in January 2026, serving 2,909 businesses and 145 homes. February saw 27 tons collected from 2,812 individuals and 164 households, while March recorded 31 tons from 8,704 businesses and 172 homes. Cardboard, glass, and PET plastic dominated these collections.

Cumulatively in 2025, the program collected 932 tons of recyclables. The temporary monthly events accounted for 304 tons with participation from 28,381 businesses, while the permanent facility collected 628 tons from 30,406 businesses and 634 homes.

Moctezuma invited residents to participate in upcoming collection days, which occur on the first Friday of each month.

Temporary collection points include:

• The new municipal palace esplanade
• Domes at Monumento a la Madre, Colosio, Misión de las Flores, and Guadalupana parks
• Puerto Aventuras town hall
• Parking lots at Centro Maya, Plaza Las Américas, Chedraui Villas del Sol, and Poliforum sports complex
• La Ceiba and Leona Vicario parks
• Super Aki Centro

Most collection points operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., except Plaza 28 de Julio which remains open until 4 p.m. The permanent facility, located beside the Public Services Secretariat parking lot in Villamar 1, operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.