Circular Economy Takes Center Stage at Residuos Expo 2026

Mexico is advancing its transition toward a circular economy through new regulation and increased collaboration between government and industry to strengthen waste management, recycling and resource efficiency. The recently enacted General Law of Circular Economy and initiatives presented at Residuos Expo highlight growing opportunities for private investment, technological innovation and infrastructure development in waste processing and recovery. 

Public and private sector representatives gathered at Residuous Expo 2026. National leaders and international organizations discussed the policies, technologies and partnerships needed to accelerate Mexico’s transition toward a circular economy and more sustainable waste management practices.

Germán Ruiz, Director General for Sustainable Urban Environmental Promotion and Performance, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), highlighted that the circular economy has become one of the Mexican government’s strategic pillars for transitioning toward a development model that is more efficient in resource use, lower in emissions and more environmentally just. He noted that the circular economy forms part of the productive transformation vision promoted by the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, which seeks to foster sustainable value chains, technological innovation, energy efficiency and new employment opportunities in strategic sectors supported by Plan México.

He also recalled that the country already has a General Law of Circular Economy, approved last December and published in the Official Gazette on Jan. 19, 2026. The law establishes the legal framework to transform the linear production and consumption model into one that prioritizes the prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery of materials throughout their entire life cycle. This legislation incorporates extended producer responsibility, material traceability and coordination among the three levels of government. It also includes planning instruments, incentives and evaluation mechanisms aimed at consolidating a National Circular Economy System aligned with the country’s climate and sustainable development commitments.

The forum brought together participants from 18 countries and more than 7,600 professionals from across the sector, including public officials, waste generators and business leaders. Among the attendees was Red Ambiental, a company originating in Nuevo León with more than 7,000 employees and a fleet of over 2,500 units nationwide. During the event, the company presented its service portfolio with the goal of strengthening strategic partnerships and reinforcing its positioning as a reliable partner helping companies and municipalities optimize their waste management processes.

Red Ambiental operates through four business pillars: Industrial and Commercial services, Residential Collection, Integrated Waste Processing Centers (CIPRES), and Hazardous Waste Management (RPBI). Its residential collection portfolio includes manual and mechanical street sweeping, bulky waste collection and underground waste container systems. The company also introduced smart equipment such as the “BigBelly” system, which optimizes waste compaction.

For the industrial sector, the company offers specialized models including front-load service, roll-off systems and its new side-loading unit. These solutions are designed under circular economy principles, seeking to minimize waste and maximize the reuse of resources. Moreover, for hazardous waste management it provides van-type units designed for small-scale waste generators. Its advanced treatment plants and Integrated Waste Processing Centers (CIPRES) ensure safe final disposal under the strictest regulatory and environmental safety standards.

Red Ambiental is one of the main providers of urban and industrial solid waste collection services in Nuevo Leon, operating primarily in Monterrey, San Nicolas de los Garza, and General Zuazua. In 2025, the company also launched a waste separation program for Oxxo stores in the eastern region of Nuevo Leon. The scheme includes differentiated collection of materials such as cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic, as well as the transformation of organic waste into vermicompost. As part of the initiative, stores receive composting material for maintaining green areas and a monthly certificate detailing the volumes collected and the percentage of waste recovered at each location.

Miguel Ángel Moreno, President of the Industrial Sector of the Green Economy, National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (Canacintra), expressed his willingness to support these types of projects through the organization’s 76 delegations across the country. He noted that Canacintra is present at the expo through sectors such as metal-mechanics, with infrastructure like separation belts, and the chemical sector with solutions and products for waste treatment. “The transition to a circular economy must be a path based on certainty and best practices,” he said.

Julia Álvarez Icaza, Minister of the Environment, Mexico City (SEDEMA), noted that waste represents the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after transportation, with methane being the most complex gas to manage. She recalled that Mexico City’s last landfill closed several years ago. “Now, Bordo Poniente will become a circular economy park aligned with the federal government’s policy,” she said. With an initial investment of MX$150 million, the project aims to transform the city’s waste into reusable materials, energy and value-added products.

The circular economy park is part of Mexico City’s waste separation program, which came into effect on Jan. 1. The program aims to recover at least 50% of the solid waste generated daily, with the goal of reducing emissions by 35% by 2030. Mexico City operates 12 transfer stations that collectively receive about 8,500 metric tons of waste per day. Of that total, roughly 7,000 tons end up in landfills. According to city data, about 56% of landfill-bound waste is organic, while roughly 21% consists of recyclable inorganic materials and another 21% is considered nonrecoverable.

Residuos Expo 2026 strengthened collaboration among federal authorities, local governments, the industrial sector, international organizations, including the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico, and specialized associations such as the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) Mexico. The forum served as a space to exchange experiences and present technological solutions focused on recycling, separation, treatment, recovery and smart waste management. “Advancing toward circular models not only helps mitigate climate change and reduce pollution, but also strengthens the competitiveness of Mexican companies, drives innovation and improves quality of life in cities,” SEMARNAT underscored.

Waste Management in Numbers

At the domestic level waste management remains a major environmental challenge. According to official figures from SEMARNAT and INEGI, Mexico generates more than 100,000 t of municipal solid waste every day, equivalent to over 40Mt annually. Although collection coverage exceeds 80% nationwide, recycling rates remain relatively low, with estimates suggesting that less than 10–14% of waste is effectively recycled, while the majority ends up in landfills or open dumps. Experts point out that expanding separation infrastructure, strengthening extended producer responsibility and investing in recycling technologies will be essential for Mexico to transition toward a circular economy.

Globally, the scale of the challenge is even greater. The World Bank estimates that the world generates more than 2 billion t of municipal solid waste every year, and at least one-third of it is not managed in an environmentally sound manner. However, several countries have developed highly efficient waste management systems. Nations such as Japan, South Korea, Germany, Austria, Finland and Belgium are among the global leaders, combining strict separation policies, advanced recycling infrastructure and waste-to-energy technologies that significantly reduce landfill dependency.