Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado launches waste collection center and food aid program

Mayor Estefanía Mercado supervised the new Centro de Acopio de Cacharros in Playa del Carmen. Opened on 24 June, the center collected five tonnes of waste in five days from 33 neighborhoods, with 116 residents delivering 166 items such as tires and mattresses. Mercado said, “¡Cada vez somos más los que cuidamos Playa del Carmen!” and noted that the material will be removed weekly and largely recycled.

The mayor also led the distribution of 3,600 food parcels under the “Playa Llena, Corazón Contento” programme. The first batch was handed out at the Luis Donaldo Colosio sports complex, aiming to support family economies and strengthen food security. She emphasized, “When resources are administered with honesty they can transform lives,” and pledged that the programme will continue delivering aid free of intermediaries, with a target of 18,000 parcels for the third stage.

Both initiatives are presented as part of Mercado’s broader municipal strategy to improve public services, promote environmental responsibility, and provide direct assistance to residents.