Mexico Collects 280kg of Beach Waste in 3-Day Cleanup

Mexico just showed what happens when government and business unite to tackle ocean pollution head-on.

In late January, Mexico's environmental ministry SEMARNAT teamed up with packaging company Tetra Pak to clean six beaches across Oaxaca and Jalisco states. Over three days, volunteers collected more than 280 kilograms of waste while teaching locals about recycling and protecting their coastal homes.

The cleanups hit beaches at Agua Blanca, San Agustinillo, Laguna del Palmar, Melaque, Barra de Navidad, and Punta Perula. Another cleanup is already scheduled for February 15 at La Manzanilla in Jalisco, with 12 total events planned for 2026.

These efforts mark the first steps in Mexico's National Strategy for the Cleaning and Conservation of Beaches and Coasts, a five-year plan launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum in June 2025. The strategy aims to eliminate single-use plastics from Mexico's beaches by 2030 and build stronger waste management systems in coastal communities.

Beyond picking up trash, the program brought environmental awareness sessions to residents and visitors. Participants learned proper waste separation techniques and why preserving natural spaces matters for long-term environmental health.

Tetra Pak contributed expertise in circular economy practices and recycling systems, building on its global success recycling 55 million packages in 2024 alone. "At Tetra Pak, we understand that sustainability goes beyond our production processes," said Alfredo Román, the company's Mexico sustainability manager. "These cleanup days reflect our commitment to promoting a culture of recycling and environmental stewardship with a lasting impact."

The Ripple Effect

Mexico's coastal cleanup strategy addresses a staggering global challenge. Every year, 13 million tons of plastic enter the ocean, equivalent to dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the sea every single minute.

The impact ripples far beyond littered beaches. Marine animals face entanglement and ingestion risks, while microplastics now appear in the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Studies even link certain plastic additives to increased childhood cancer rates.

SEMARNAT recognizes that solving this requires everyone working together. The ministry signed a cooperation agreement with ECOCE, an environmental group focused on corporate recycling practices, to install free collection stations at cleanup sites nationwide. ECOCE will supply collection bags, sort recyclable materials, transport them to recycling plants, and track the environmental benefits at each location.

"Major environmental challenges require the active participation of governments, companies, civil society, and citizens," said ECOCE Director General Jorge Terrazas.

Mexico is proving that protecting our oceans starts with communities taking action together, one beach at a time.