Second Edition of Los +Ecoístas México Awards Celebrates Sustainability Leaders

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The second edition of the Los +Ecoístas México Awards took place at the Museo Regional de la Costa Oriental inside Parque del Jaguar, recognizing businesses, institutions, and environmental leaders for converting sustainability into concrete actions.

Organized by the Somos Ecoístas movement, an initiative of the Piñero group, the awards highlight individuals and organizations demonstrating that sustainability is not just an intention but a practice generating real impact on the planet, communities, and the future of destinations.

Bernardo Cueto Riestra, Quintana Roo’s Secretary of Tourism, attended on behalf of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, joined by Andrés Aguilar Becerril, Deputy Secretary of Tourism Management. Cueto Riestra said: “The future of tourism is built by caring for our destinations, strengthening communities, and generating shared prosperity. In Quintana Roo, we celebrate those who make tourism a positive force to transform lives and protect the Mexican Caribbean.”

Encarna Piñero, Global CEO of Piñero, emphasized the importance of balancing growth, protection, and legacy: “At Piñero, we are clear that territorial development only makes sense when it finds balance — between growth and protection, progress and roots, what we do today and what we want to preserve tomorrow. Caring for the natural environment, preserving cultural wealth, and betting on a regenerative business model are different forms of the same shared responsibility.”

Andrés Roselló, Chief Sustainability Officer of Piñero, added: “For Piñero, sustainability is not a parallel effort to business, but a principle guiding how we operate, relate to territories, and generate positive impact. Los +Ecoístas materialize that vision by recognizing projects, alliances, and initiatives capable of transforming realities through environmental commitment, innovation, and collaboration.” He noted that the Somos Ecoístas movement represents a new culture of collective action: “Being ecoísta means understanding that when we care for ecosystems, communities, and destinations, we are also caring for our own future.”

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of artisan Justo Rosales from Isla Mujeres, winner of the contest to design the official award piece. His work, titled “Tiburón Ballena” (Whale Shark), uses sand, resin, wood, and sargassum through molding and hand-carving techniques, symbolizing the connection between the sea, biodiversity, and conscious reuse of natural materials.

Lilian Jesús Villanueva Chan, director general of the Institute for Culture and Arts of Quintana Roo (ICA), stated: “From the ICA, and in alignment with Governor Mara Lezama’s vision to strengthen cultural and creative development, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting sustainable art, artisan talent, and the preservation of cultural traditions. Los +Ecoístas 2026 shows that creativity and responsible use of local resources can become a driver of identity, well-being, and tourism linkage with socially and ecologically responsible companies like Piñero, benefiting the people of Quintana Roo.”

Winners of Los +Ecoístas México 2026

• VIMA MEXICANA — Recognized for integrating sustainability into its food supply chain through responsible fishing and aquaculture certifications, waste reduction, responsible packaging, and support for local producers.
• EVERGO — Awarded for promoting electric mobility in Mexico via a network of sustainable charging stations, strengthening the transition to cleaner transportation.
• GRUPO MODELO — For investing over $30 million in projects focused on responsible water management, sustainable agriculture, packaging circularity, and climate action.
• TETRA PAK — Distinguished for its commitment to recycling and sustainability in Mexico, driving responsible packaging solutions that help protect and preserve food.
• CENTINELAS DEL AGUA A.C. — Recognized for 15 years of protecting the karstic aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula through research, environmental education, and community action.
• CHICZA — Awarded for its sustainable business model based on 100% natural, organic certified, biodegradable chewing gum, promoting sustainable management of the Selva Maya and fair trade with rural communities.

Special Recognitions

• KOL +Ecoísta: Víctor Adán Rosales Hernández, founder of AAK Mahahual A.C., for his work in marine conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental education in Quintana Roo.
• Prescriptora +Ecoísta: Gilda Alicia Piña Ballote, reporter for Novedades de Quintana Roo and member of the Red de Periodistas del Mar, for positioning key environmental conservation topics on the public agenda.
• Influencer +Ecoísta: Eduardo Chankin (@eduardochankin), content creator and environmental educator from the Selva Lacandona, for using digital platforms to connect thousands of people with nature, inspired by the ancestral knowledge of the Hach Winik Maya culture.

The ceremony concluded with an official photo of awardees, allies, and authorities, reaffirming the collective commitment to building a more conscious and sustainable future.