Tulum’s Jungles Swallowed by Construction Waste

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The rapid growth of Tulum’s real estate sector is triggering a silent environmental catastrophe: tons of construction waste and debris are being dumped directly into the jungle. Carlos Montes Gil, vice president of the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) in Tulum, has raised the alarm about the devastating impact of this practice.

A Hidden Crisis

“I want to talk to you, my friend, about a silent catastrophe that is devouring Tulum’s jungles: the massive waste left behind by real estate developments. It’s a reality no one sees,” declared Montes Gil, emphasizing the destructive footprint the construction industry is leaving on local ecosystems.

His concerns stem from firsthand observations. He estimates that each new project in the area generates at least two tons of solid waste daily—including rubble, plastics, rebar, wood, packaging, and chemical waste—of which “40% ends up in the jungle.”

“I’m witnessing a storm of debris. Every project produces over two tons of waste per day—rebar, plastics, chemicals—and where does 40% of it end up? In the jungle,” he stated bluntly.

Lack of Regulation and Enforcement

Montes Gil pointed to ineffective regulation and a lack of real oversight by municipal and state authorities, which he says allows developers to operate with environmental impunity. He alleges that clandestine dumping sites are emerging in jungle areas adjacent to new developments.

“Here in Tulum, you’ll find several developments leaving behind waste. But also in Zone 11, where I live… many projects are underway, and this morning I went for a walk: rubble, wood, plastics everywhere,” he recounted indignantly.

Domestic Waste from Workers Adds to the Problem

Beyond construction waste, Montes Gil also condemned the behavior of construction workers, who he says contribute to pollution with domestic waste.

“Not only that, but in this area, we’re also seeing the workers themselves dumping beer bottles, soda bottles, food scraps—just trash. It’s leading us to destruction,” he lamented.

Institutional Inaction

Despite the visible damage near expanding urban zones, the issue does not appear to be a priority for authorities. There are no effective construction waste management programs or enforcement protocols to curb this destructive practice.

The AMPI vice president warned that this pattern of negligence is “condemning Tulum to lose its natural wealth,” the very asset that fueled the municipality’s tourism and commercial boom.

The situation is critical: Tulum’s ecosystems are being overrun by trash and pollutants without a coordinated strategy to stop it. Instead of enforcing strict waste management rules, construction permits continue to be granted to companies lacking proper environmental plans.

“It’s a silent catastrophe because it makes no noise—but it will when we no longer have jungles, when tourists start turning away due to environmental degradation,” Montes Gil cautioned.

He urgently called on authorities at all levels of government and developers to take responsibility and halt the unchecked real estate expansion before the damage becomes irreversible.

Beneath its facade as a natural paradise, Tulum now hides a troubling reality: mountains of waste slowly encroaching on its green heart. And as investments grow, so does the trash no one seems willing to clean up.