The Invasion of Plastic Waste in Mexico

According to information from SEMARNAT and INECC, in December 2020, it is mentioned that, due to the great adverse impact on the environment due to the improper use of plastics, one of the most common factors why plastics are a problematic waste is their incorrect final disposal, the low percentage of recycling, as well as the degradation time of polymers.

Given the importance of the issue, as published by the Senate, national authorities have begun to regulate and regulate the management of plastic waste in almost all of Mexico used for the distribution, marketing and transport of basic consumer inputs, and have promoted their replacement by biodegradable products. Likewise, each federal and municipal entity must prepare the correct management plans and implement the regulation of extended responsibility and give added value to waste of this type. 

For its part, the business sector has taken initiatives to strengthen the culture of reducing, reusing and recycling through forceful actions in favor of caring for the environment.

In this regard, on December 2, 2022, Mexico announced its adhesion to the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, during the session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution.

In this session, the objectives were set to: limit the consumption and production of plastic to sustainable levels, enable a circular economy for plastics that protects the environment and human health, and achieve environmentally sound management and recycling of plastic waste.

In conclusion, derived from the large amounts of plastic waste that are generated, it is necessary to opt for a better regulation of them, this in order to have better practices in their management and that favors the use established in the strategies, goals and actions to reintegrate them into the production chain complying with environmental and circular economy criteria to give a better final disposition.