“Quintana Roo’s ‘Recycle for Your Future’ Initiative: Transforming Waste into Food!”

The state of Quintana Roo is gearing up to launch the "Recycle for Your Future" initiative. This socially conscious program aims to encourage environmental stewardship in the municipalities of Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, the continental zone of Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Solidaridad, and Othón P. Blanco.

The "Recycle for Your Future" program will focus on the recovery of various types of waste, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), aluminium, paper, and cardboard. These municipalities have been identified as areas of concern due to their high demand for resources and services, leading to significant waste generation. In exchange for recyclable waste, participants will receive basic food baskets.

The program's implementation is being overseen by the State Government and the Secretariat of Ecology and the Environment (SEMA). They have initiated a National Public Tender to contract a comprehensive service for the execution of the program, which is scheduled to run from July 10 to December 10, 2024.

SEMA reports that Quintana Roo generates an average of 3,072 tons of waste per day. It's estimated that around 11% of the total waste produced by large generators is recovered and recycled. This figure does not include residential homes, highlighting a significant opportunity for increased recycling participation among citizens.

One of the key challenges facing the region's tourism industry is the lack of waste recycling. Hotels, in particular, generate substantial amounts of both organic and inorganic waste. Many of these materials, such as cardboard, paper, ferrous metals, aluminium cans, and plastics, have high value and could be repurposed within the state and national industries without harming the environment or local communities.

The "Recycle for Your Future" program will cover Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, the continental zone of Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Solidaridad, and Othón P. Blanco. It aims to serve a population of 1,575,279 residents in these high waste-producing areas.

SEMA believes the program will not only benefit the environment but also the local population. Participants who deliver recyclable waste to collection centers will receive a basic food basket. This incentive will improve the well-being of the target population while ensuring that public resources contribute to the betterment of the local community.