Grupo Xcaret, the leader in sustainable and socially responsible tourism in the Mexican Caribbean, invites visitors, collaborators and employees alike to join them on their new initiative.
The group has announced that all of its parks have been free from single-use plastics as of January 1st, a great way to ring in the new year.
“For several years, we have been taking measures to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, while simultaneously strengthening our nature conservation programs. Banning single-use plastic was the next step and is a testament to our commitment to better the environment,” said Elizabeth Lugo, Executive Director of Parks and Tours Operations for Grupo Xcaret. “We have gained recognition for being the paradigm in sustainable tourism in Mexico and this new policy reflects our values as a brand and as individuals,” she added.
Effective immediately, no single-use plastic cups or bags will be available at the parks. As an alternative, the parks have installed water fountains and are encouraging visitors to bring their own containers to refill them at certain stations. The souvenir shop offers reusable bottles for sale and visitors will no longer be given a single-use plastic bags for their purchases. Instead, guests can choose to buy a reusable branded bag.
The journey towards being completely free from single-use plastic began a few years ago. The parks first replaced plastic straws with biodegradable straws made from avocado seeds, as well as all food containers, that are made from biodegradable sugarcane bagasse. Both straws and food containers are only given upon visitors’ request, to encourage minimal waste.
Grupo Xcaret’s commitment to protecting the environment is evident in several initiatives the organization prioritizes. The company has a solid waste management program that properly disposes of any garbage, making sure it doesn’t make its way into the ocean, cenotes and any other body of water. All organic and inorganic waste gathered by Grupo Xcaret is separated into several collection centers so that the largest amounts are recycled, and the smallest are sent to sanitary landfills.
A further testament to Grupo Xcaret’s commitment to helping local communities is its effort to buying locally whenever possible in order to boost the economy. In the last year alone, the brand purchased 95 percent of its products from Mexican companies, 90 percent of which were purchased in Quintana Roo, home to the brand’s parks and tours.
Grupo Xcaret’s ban of single-use plastic is the latest in a long list of eco-friendly measures proving a strong commitment to sustainable tourism.
