Maya Train Construction Triggers Waste Surge in Bacalar

The construction of the seventh section of the Maya Train project in Bacalar has led to a significant increase in urban solid waste. Data from Bacalar's City Council reveals that the Magical Town of Bacalar saw its waste generation nearly double from 2002 to 2023.

In 2022, Bacalar city generated 12,110.02 tonnes of urban solid waste. However, by 2023, this figure had risen to 22,422.492 tonnes, marking an increase of 85.1%. The report clarifies that the solid waste ending up in the landfill is solely from Bacalar's municipal area. Vegetable waste is deposited separately and is not mixed with the general waste entering the municipal landfill cell.

From January to September 2024, Bacalar city's landfill received 12,469.639 tonnes of solid urban waste. Erick Guillermo Jiménez Darza, Director of Municipal Public Services of Bacalar City Council, noted that effective waste management extends the usable lifespan of the landfill area to between three to five years.

Darza also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve the entrance to the landfill site. This will facilitate quicker entry and exit of waste collection units, streamlining the disposal process of the city's solid waste. His department operates five garbage collection trucks, covering five routes. Collection services run from Monday to Saturday in five shifts on alternate days, and every day along the coastal route, with two additional shifts on Sundays.

Additionally, the department has a van on standby to handle any waste-related emergencies that city residents may encounter. Darza noted that some residents transport their waste to the landfill using private vehicles. In such cases, entries are recorded in a logbook to maintain better control.