Mexico’s plastics industry helps clean up beaches

Mexico – Mexico’s plastics industry is joining the effort to reduce the volume of plastic waste washed into the sea from the country’s beaches.

Launched as a pilot programme in 2014, Yo Cuido Mi Playa – or ‘I Take Care of My Beach’ – has yielded such positive results that the Mexican plastics industry association Anipac plans to extend it to beaches such as Cancún, Los Cabos, Manzanillo, Veracruz and Acapulco.

According to Anipac, some 80% of the world’s marine litter originates on land. The association has placed large containers on the beaches, encouraging tourists to separate and deposit different types of waste.

In addition, squads of volunteers have distributed 12 000 plastic bags, printed with recommendations as to how they should be used. Hotel lobbies and restaurants have been supplied with banners and posters to boost the impact of the campaign.