Cancún, Mexico's first tourist destination in the "Zero Waste Destination" project

"Today, Cancún becomes the first tourist destination in Mexico to join the UN Tourism Global Initiative on Tourism and Plastics," emphasized Mayor Ana Paty Peralta, upon signing Cancún's adhesion to the project called "Zero Waste Destination Cancún," which aims to reduce the generation of solid waste, especially plastics and glass, in a collaborative effort with the business sector.

At the press conference on the initiative, Ana Paty Peralta highlighted that 1,500 tons of garbage are generated daily in the city, a challenge that must be addressed with unity and determination, since the city's main economic activity is also a way of connecting with nature, which requires constant care for its continued enjoyment.

“Zero Waste Destination Cancun represents the new vision of tourism we are building together with our governor, Mara Lezama: more conscious, fairer, and truly sustainable, generating well-being today without jeopardizing tomorrow,” he said.

The Mayor emphasized that her administration has implemented successful programs to promote greater environmental awareness among the population, such as: Recyclathon, fixed collection points; waste separation and recycling campaigns; a Tree Planting Plan; cleanup campaigns in cenotes, mangroves, and beaches; and Green Units, to name a few.

In addition to reading the letter of support for the project, he noted that the first phase will involve 89 hotels in the hotel zone conducting a diagnostic assessment of the actions taken in their facilities and services to reduce the use of plastic bottles, straws, disposable items, and other items. He also announced that the first report on the results of this project will be presented at the upcoming International Tourism Fair (FITUR).

Vicente Ferreyra Acosta, CEO of Sustentur, explained that this is the first project the Tui Care Foundation has undertaken in Latin America. It includes the implementation of several technical and practical actions, including: an analysis of waste generation in Cancún and its challenges; the creation of the country's first Tourism and Circular Economy Hub; participation in beach cleanups and other activities; and the development of local campaigns, to name a few.

The president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association (AHCPMIM), Rodrigo de la Peña Segura, thanked the Mayor for joining the project with a three-year circular economy model to achieve more sustainable tourism, encouraging vacationers to join in caring for all the destination's ecosystems, such as beaches, dunes, cenotes, and others.

He explained that, in addition to all the municipal actions undertaken, 15 local companies are already implementing the plastic-free guidelines, aiming to achieve a 44 percent reduction in plastic waste annually. This represents 100.74 tons of such waste and saves each lodging center between 400,000 and 800,000 pesos.

Source: cancun.gob.mx