More than 9 metric tons of trash were removed from Rosarito’s beaches during the recent holiday weekend, forcing cleanup crews to empty collection containers twice and work late into the night to keep the coastline clean.

According to Adán Aldama López, coordinator of the Federal Maritime Land Zone (ZOFEMAT), crews normally collect about 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of small debris and 3 metric tons of larger trash each day along the city’s beaches. The holiday crowds, however, generated far more waste than usual.

One of the biggest challenges, Aldama said, is the accumulation of small debris buried beneath the sand. In some areas, crews have discovered layers of litter that have built up over time, making complete removal difficult even with a mechanical beach cleaner.

Among the most common items recovered are cigarette butts, bottle caps, nails, broken wood, glass, fishing line, metal fragments and paper. Larger debris—including plastic containers, bottles, bags, cans and other waste—is collected manually by a small crew working along the coastline.

ZOFEMAT officials encouraged beachgoers to help keep Rosarito’s beaches clean by properly disposing of their trash and taking responsibility for any waste they bring with them. They said lasting improvements depend not only on cleanup efforts but also on adopting environmentally responsible habits that reduce litter at its source.