Governor of Quintana Roo Launches Unique Recycling Program

Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa of Quintana Roo has launched the "Recycle for Your Future" program, a significant step towards a more sustainable region. The initiative focuses on environmental protection and the preservation of the natural beauty that draws thousands of tourists to the area. The program aims to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or discarded improperly. The official launch took place at the sports dome in Region 247, within the Villas Otoch ecological park.

The "Recycle for Your Future" program, led by the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) and its head, Óscar Rébora Aguilera, encourages waste collection, sorting, and proper disposal at collection centers. Participants in the program who help collect and sort urban waste will receive a food basket as a token of appreciation.

Governor Mara Lezama stressed the importance of sustainable development and reducing urban waste. She highlighted the potential impact of pollution on the tourism industry, which is vital to Quintana Roo, home to 12 tourist destinations. She questioned, "What would happen if our seas, our beaches, our cenotes, our lagoons get polluted? What will happen to that tourism? They would stop coming. And then yes, we would have a big problem."

Secretary Óscar Rébora described the program as an effort to promote a recycling culture that contributes to sustainable development and helps needy families in Quintana Roo. The program aligns with the New Agreement for the Welfare and Development of Quintana Roo and reflects Governor Mara Lezama's commitment to sustainability, social wellbeing, and environmental awareness.

The "Recycle for Your Future" program is more than a government initiative, it’s a model of collaboration for the environment, bringing together the government and society in the defense of a sustainable future. The program has been implemented in several municipalities, including Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Othón P. Blanco, Isla Mujeres (Continental Zone), and Solidaridad, chosen for their high waste generation.

Since its launch on July 3, the program has received support from over 15,000 Quintana Roo residents. So far, 36,418 food baskets have been distributed, and 193,662 kilograms of waste, including PET, aluminum, paper, cardboard, and HDPE, have been collected. The program also includes training sessions conducted in collaboration with the municipalities.