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Sema head describes efforts being made to solve Holbox garbage problem

Holbox, Q.R. — The Secretary of Ecology and Environment (Sema) says efforts are being made and that they are in search of solutions regarding the island’s ever-growing garbage mound.

Efraín Villanueva Arcos, head of the Ecología y Medio Ambiente (Sema) says its been more than three months since Profepa closed the Holbox open-air transfer site in the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area.

“We have been seeking the support of the federal government, especially through the Semarnat of the general direction of Urban and Tourism Development. We have established several options seeking a collaboration opportunity with the Federal Electricity Commission so that the waste becomes electricity generated through technologies that exist in the market,” he explained.

He added that he has met with representatives of Profepa and the outgoing and incoming municipal authorities to help the municipality in this partial closure.

“What we are looking for is sensitivity in the community to avoid the entry of more waste” he said adding that “a definitive closure would not help anyone and would complicate the issue for the island residents.”

He added that the municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas has already sent a proposal to Profepa in which it proposed a work program and requested time to address the recommendations of the partial closure.

He also said they are seeking to comprehensively address the other garbage issues that exist on the other islands, such as Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

Earlier this month, Quintana Roo deputy Édgar Gasca Arceo said that the solid waste collected from island residents is accumulating in the one and only transfer site, which was not being emptied. Thousands of tons of garbage continue to accumulate in the transfer site.