Industry Sector Surpasses Plastics Recycling Targets

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The business sector presented the 5th Annual Report of the National Agreement for the New Plastics Economy in Mexico, an initiative launched in 2019 as a voluntary commitment between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and 77 companies committed to reducing their environmental impact.

Alicia Bárcena, Minister of Environment, highlighted that several goals originally set for 2025 were achieved ahead of schedule in 2024. She stated that the report is a clear demonstration of the commitment of the signatory companies, which represent 51% of the national market. “All participants in the agreement are aligning their production practices to optimize the use of polymers and increase the percentage of recycled material. This reflects the will and commitment to develop a genuine circular economy policy in Mexico,” Bárcena said.

Among the key accomplishments, the report highlights the elimination of intentionally added microplastics used for exfoliating, polishing, or cleaning purposes, a goal achieved in 2022 and maintained since then. It also reports a collection rate of 34% of all plastic containers and packaging, exceeding the 30% target set for 2025. For PET, participating companies reported a 41% recovery rate, while at the national level the rate reached 64% when including non-reporting companies. Additionally, the agreement has resulted in the elimination of 35,000 tons of unnecessary plastics through packaging redesign, the use of recycled raw materials, and the substitution of materials.

The report states that the business sector has invested MX$1.2 billion (US$68.7 million) in recovery and recycling infrastructure, as well as more than MX$30 million in education, social responsibility initiatives, and support programs for informal waste collectors to encourage their integration into the formal economy. 

Another result highlighted is the average percentage of post-consumer recycled content in the production of new containers and packaging, which reached 24% among the signatory companies, surpassing the 20% goal set for 2025. Montserrat Ramírez, COO, ECOCE, emphasized that achieving this goal is particularly complex because it involves the entire value chain, from petrochemicals to recovery, and requires significant investments in infrastructure, packaging design, and innovation to incorporate recycled materials into production processes.

José Ramón Ardavín, Executive Director of the Center for Private Sector Studies for Sustainable Development (Cespedes), Business Coordinating Council (CCE), said that the agreement’s goals are aligned with some of the most demanding international standards, such as those of the European Union. He added that the progress made so far even exceeds several EU indicators, particularly regarding recycled content and market participation by the 77 companies and 13 business associations involved, placing Mexico among the global leaders when compared with similar agreements or reports. 

Ardavín also highlighted that the Sheinbaum administration presents a unique opportunity to strengthen and accelerate efforts. “We see a unique window to renew and strengthen this pact and accelerate the transition toward proper waste management and a genuine low-carbon circular economy. As the private sector, we are ready to sit at the table, listen, propose, and build together the next chapter of this effort, convinced that Mexico can continue to be a global leader in sustainable solutions for plastics management,” he said. 

Despite the reported progress, civil society organizations have expressed skepticism regarding the agreement. Greenpeace Mexico criticized SEMARNAT’s position, calling it incoherent to praise the plastics industry’s commitment to circular economy principles when, according to the organization, these companies are among the main contributors to ecosystem pollution. “The environmental authority is celebrating the 5th report of the National Agreement for the New Plastics Economy in Mexico, but the document is full of traps,” Greenpeace stated in a press release.

The organization argued that the agreement focuses too narrowly on waste management and reintegration into the economy while failing to address the root cause of the plastics crisis, which lies in reducing the production and commercialization of single-use plastics to prevent waste generation at its source. “Recycling alone is insufficient and warned that claims of PET circularity are misleading because virgin material is always required, even when recycled PET is used,” the statement reads.

Greenpeace urged SEMARNAT to avoid conflicts of interest and prioritize the protection of the environment and public health. The organization called for a comprehensive Circular Economy Law that tackles the issue at its root and includes bans on single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility policies, reuse and refill systems for containers and packaging, and bulk sales programs for food, cleaning, and personal care products. “This legislation must not prioritize waste recovery or valorization over measures aimed at preventing and reducing waste generation,” Greenpeace emphasized.

 Courtesy:www.mexicobusiness.news