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This project was funded through the 2020 United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act (P.L. 116-113), which provided the NOAA Marine Debris Program funding to prevent and reduce marine debris in the North American region. Chapter 24 of the USMCA includes specific environmental goals that highlight the need to take action to prevent and reduce marine debris, including plastic litter and microplastics, in order to preserve human health and marine and coastal ecosystems, prevent the loss of biodiversity, and mitigate the costs and impacts of marine debris. This project was awarded competitively and meets the environment goals of the USMCA by reducing sources of marine debris from tourism in Mexico that impact beaches in the Gulf of America.
Parley Foundation is working in select cities in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to raise awareness of plastic consumption and engage local businesses in strategies to reduce consumer plastic waste.
Type of Project: Prevention
Region: Mexico
Project Dates: September 2022 - August 2024
Who is involved?
With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Parley Foundation is implementing a project in select cities in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to increase the awareness of plastic consumption and engage local businesses to reduce consumer plastic waste in areas of high tourism.
What is the project and why is it important?
Holbox Island and Cozumel are popular coastal tourist locations in Mexico, drawing up to 5 million tourists annually. Marine debris, including single-use plastics, can negatively impact the economies of areas dependent on tourism, as well as wildlife and habitats. Marine debris littered on beaches can not only degrade the beauty of the environment but may also prevent tourists from spending their time and money in coastal communities that rely on tourism.
This project, led by the Parley Foundation, implements the AIR Strategy (Avoid, Intercept, and Redesign) to prevent marine debris. The project work focuses on increasing awareness and avoidance of plastic consumption in these two locations, working with tourism and hospitality industries locally as well as in surrounding towns, communities, and beaches.
The project will engage 20 local businesses in the Parley AIR Hospitality Program, which will reduce the plastic waste produced by 50% by minimizing the use of plastic products and promoting alternatives, where possible. The project will also increase awareness and education in 80% of the overall hospitality businesses within the area. Project partners are focusing on businesses including hotels, restaurants, night clubs, and bars, as well as other tourism industry businesses. Each successful pilot business that is trained on reducing the overall use of plastic products in their practices will receive an AIR Hospitality certification.
Beyond business programs, the project will also support installation of 10 public information boards to increase awareness of the AIR program. These education and outreach efforts will be supported by 16 local cleanup events to further raise awareness and reinforce community connections to the issue.