Spring cleaning at San Marcos cenote
Sacalum, Yucatán.— Members of the Ecologistas Sub Acuáticos de Yucatán, Fundación Bepensa, H. Ayuntamiento de Sacalum and Seduma Yucatán got together for a productive spring cleaning at the San Marcos Cenote in Sacalum.
Starting early Sunday, 37 people gathered to haul away what ended up being 89 kilograms, or almost 200 pounds, of debris.
The work of scuba divers Luis Felaco, Gabriel Delgado, Cristian Selun and Erick Sosa was documented by biologist and professional photographer Benjamin Magana.
On the surface, volunteer crews found another 49 kg, or 108 pounds, of glass liquor bottles, beer cans and other pieces of garbage such as diapers and disposable cups.
Traveling far
Volunteer networks reached as far as Toluca, Chiapas, Mexico City, Venezuela, France and even Argentina for the cause.
Evidence of alcohol consumption by the swimming hole is alarming, not just for the litter that results, but because of safety concerns. Drinking and swimming is among the leading causes of deaths at cenotes here.
Follow EcoSuby on Facebook to learn about future cleanups that you can join, or email ecosuby@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, at the beach
In Celestún, a litter-awareness program took a kindergarten class out to the beach to collect garbage left behind by thoughtless visitors.
The City Council, through the Department of Ecology, arranged the trip with the Emiliano Zapata preschool.
Mothers, municipal ecology director Luis Ortiz, as well as the director of the campus led the project, teaching the importance of separating organic and inorganic waste.
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