Puerto Vallarta will take part in Mexico’s National Strategy for Beach and Coastal Cleanup and Conservation, a government campaign aimed at eliminating plastic pollution from the country’s waters and beaches within five years. The Secretariats of Tourism (Sectur) and Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) launched the initiative after revealing that official figures place more than 5 trillion tons of plastic waste in the world’s oceans, much of which ends up on Mexican shores.
Under the new plan, Sectur and Semarnat will coordinate massive cleanup operations across 18 states and 169 coastal municipalities. The campaign’s goal is ambitious: remove 100 percent of plastic pollutants from Mexico’s beaches by mid-2030 and ensure coastal ecosystems remain safe for endemic wildlife and attractive to visitors.
Officials stressed that the strategy will strengthen Mexico’s position as a top beach destination and protect fragile marine environments. “We must act now to safeguard our marine life and preserve the natural beauty that draws millions of travelers each year,” said a Sectur representative. Semarnat added that sustained community engagement will prove essential to reaching the 100 percent cleanup target.
The nationwide campaign will kick off on Saturday, June 5, 2025, with simultaneous events in five key coastal cities: Progreso in Yucatán; Puerto Morelos in Quintana Roo; Acapulco in Guerrero; San Felipe in Baja California; and Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco. Volunteers, local officials and environmental groups will converge on these beaches to launch what promises to be one of the largest coordinated cleanup efforts in Mexico’s history.
In Puerto Vallarta, local organizers expect dozens of civic groups and hundreds of residents to join the first wave of cleanup crews along the city’s miles of sandy shoreline. The municipal government has pledged logistical support, providing trash collection stations, safety equipment and coordination with waste-management services to ensure removed plastics do not return to the sea.
Plastic pollution poses a direct threat to marine species and the health of coastal communities. Discarded bottles, packaging and microplastics can choke marine life, damage coral reefs and disrupt food chains. By removing plastics at the source, the campaign hopes to reduce long-term ecological damage and revive endangered habitats.
Community leaders in Puerto Vallarta are already planning follow-up events beyond the June kick-off. Local schools, diving clubs and tour operators have expressed interest in joining monthly beach patrols, educational workshops and recycling drives to sustain momentum over the five-year timeline.
Mayor of Puerto Vallarta noted that this effort aligns with recent city ordinances banning single-use plastics in public spaces. “Our residents care deeply about the ocean,” the mayor said. “This national strategy gives us the framework and resources we need to keep our beaches clean year after year.”
Environmental NGOs have also committed to support the strategy by providing data collection and monitoring. They will track the volume and types of plastics recovered to identify pollution hotspots and advise on policy adjustments. This data will feed into annual progress reports to be published by Semarnat and Sectur.
While the focus remains on removing existing plastic debris, the campaign also emphasizes prevention. Tourism operators will roll out awareness campaigns, encouraging visitors to minimize plastic waste and opt for reusable containers. Hotels and restaurants along the coast will receive guidance on sustainable alternatives and waste-reduction practices.
Mexico faces mounting pressure to address plastic pollution as coastal tourism rebounds from pandemic-related downturns. By mobilizing volunteers, government agencies and private stakeholders, the National Strategy for Beach and Coastal Cleanup and Conservation aims to deliver cleaner beaches, healthier ecosystems and stronger tourism revenues.
Puerto Vallarta’s participation on June 5 marks the start of a five-year sprint to reclaim Mexico’s coastlines from plastic waste. Residents, environmentalists and tourists are invited to join the beach cleanup, ensuring that future generations can enjoy pristine sands and vibrant marine life.
Puerto Vallarta will take part in Mexico’s National Strategy for Beach and Coastal Cleanup and Conservation, a government campaign aimed at eliminating plastic pollution from the country’s waters and beaches within five years. The Secretariats of Tourism (Sectur) and Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) launched the initiative after revealing that official figures place more than 5 trillion tons of plastic waste in the world’s oceans, much of which ends up on Mexican shores.
