by Arturo Molina, CEA Ecotourist

Riding the Cooperativa Orgánica tricycle through Akumal with José, collecting organic waste and recyclables, has given me a new perspective of my own garbage production back home in New Orleans. As an ecotourist at CEA, I am here as the Cooperativa Orgánica completes its first year of working toward the goal of keeping organic nutrients out of local groundwater.

Organics from the kitchen and from the garden are contributing to the nutrient load entering into the groundwater and contaminating the environment, especially feeding algae which then cover the coral and kills it. Organics comprise 50% or more of the volume of waste generated and they are the materials that make all the rest of the garbage smelly and nasty.

Since its commencement in August 2003, José Torres and Eli Hernández, of Cooperativa Orgánica, have helped eliminate much of the organic wastes that would have contaminated the groundwater by converting it into compost. The amount of waste collected has risen drastically since April, with an average of 161.1 kg/day from restaurants and 10.59 kg/day from households; however, participation has dropped from 21 members to 16. Although the bulk of the waste comes from restaurants, there are over 60 private kitchens in the Akumal area that potentially generate an equivalent amount of waste.

Individually, the organic waste of a household may seem negligible, but collectively it has a large impact on the fragile ecosystem. For 100 pesos or 10 dollars a month, José and Eli will come to your place and compost your organics in a simple container system. We do ask you to purchase the container. CEA invites you to help keep the reef alive in Akumal by participating in the composting program. Please contact anyone at CEA, or chat with José or Eli as they cycle around Akumal, collecting organics for composting.

Click here to learn more about this program.