To help the planet and promote better waste management in Quintana Roo, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation and Bepensa, opened the first Circular Seas Community Station (ECMC), a collection center that will strengthen the recycling chain through the citizens of Cozumel Island.
The Community Station Circular Seas It will have the capacity to collect 200 tons of recyclable waste annually, as it has the infrastructure to collect materials such as plastics, paper, cardboard, and metals, resulting from the participation and implementation of innovative projects involving local businesses and the general population, fundamental elements for its operation.
For the development and implementation of the station, support and advice were provided by the organization SUEMA (Sustainability in Energy and Environment), in addition to strategic allies for the consolidation of this new collection center, such as Fundación Cozumel and Winjet, both key players in waste collection and transportation, respectively.
In the specific case of PET recycling, we will have the support of PetStar, a Mexican company that owns the largest food-grade PET plant in the world. This way, this material will be integrated into a sustainable circular economy with high social and climate value.
The station, promoted by The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation, will feature recycling partners and motorcycle carts that will run daily collection routes around the city, adding another step to Coca-Cola's global goal of recycling 100% of the bottles the brand puts on the market by 2030.
In this regard, Agustín Menéndez Reyes, Corporate Affairs Manager at Bepensa, mentioned that Bepensa maintains a firm commitment to sustainability and emphasized that participating in these types of projects is essential for Bepensa, as they contribute to the care and conservation of the environment for the benefit of all. At the same time, it brings them even closer to their global goal of A World Without Waste as part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry. This goal proposes recovering 100% of the bottles they put on the market, regardless of their origin, as well as integrating at least 50% recycled resin into all their packaging. They currently have packaging, such as the blue Cristal Purified Water bottle or Sprite, made from 100% recycled and recyclable resin from PetStar.
In addition to promoting the circular economy and waste management, the project's creators have recruited an important partner, the Cozumel Foundation, who will be responsible for environmental education, artistic, cultural, and green entrepreneurship activities, with the goal of building an aware and participatory citizenry in the management of recoverable waste.
Daniela Rodríguez, Director of the Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation, acknowledged that the success of this project will depend on the efforts of the citizens of Cozumel. "In addition to the importance of the collection, it's important to empower the community so they can continue it, and then we can truly talk about a truly sustainable initiative."
Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso Marrufo emphasized the importance of carrying out actions in collaboration with civil society and the private sector to achieve a greater impact on the community.
During the opening event, municipal and state authorities, business leaders, and civil society witnessed the station's operational status and the arrival of the first motorcycle cart with recyclable waste.
The Coca-Cola Mexico Foundation and Bepensa, as part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry, are creating a movement for the planet, enabling continued efforts among businesses, government, and society to achieve a World Without Waste and maintain Mexico's position as the continent's leading country in collection and recycling.
