Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—Authorities and volunteers recently removed nearly a ton of garbage from the canals that flow into the El Salado estuary, an important ecosystem often referred to as the “lungs and kidneys” of this popular tourist destination. This is just more evidence that ‘Sustainable Tourism’ is a fantasy and a contradiction.
According to Puerto Vallarta’s City Council Efficient Services Department, the cleanup was strategically conducted before the onset of the rainy season to prevent waste—ranging from PET plastic bottles to discarded refrigerators—from reaching the mangroves inside the protected natural area.
“These actions help protect the ecological balance of the estuary,” the department stated in a release. “It is unfortunate that nearly a ton of trash, mainly PET, ended up here in the first place. With greater awareness and cooperation, we could prevent this kind of waste from reaching the canals.”
The cleanup effort was carried out by a coalition of public agencies and volunteers, including the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (Semadet), students of Nature Conservation, members of AC Sedena, the National Guard, and Puerto Vallarta’s own Efficient Services team.
Local environmentalists emphasize that the removal of refuse from the canals is a crucial measure to protect the estuary’s mangrove forests, which help filter pollutants and provide critical habitat for birds, fish, and other marine wildlife. Additionally, the El Salado estuary’s role in carbon capture—much like the lungs—and water purification—akin to the kidneys—further underscores its ecological significance.
Authorities urge residents and visitors to responsibly dispose of waste and reduce single-use plastics. Ongoing community-based and government-led cleanups are expected to continue throughout the rainy season to ensure that the estuary, home to diverse flora and fauna, remains a haven of biodiversity in the heart of Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—Authorities and volunteers recently removed nearly a ton of garbage from the canals that flow into the El Salado estuary, an important ecosystem often referred to as the “lungs and kidneys” of this popular tourist destination. This is just more evidence that 'Sustainable Tourism' is a fantasy and a contradiction.
