Mexico Needs Comprehensive Plastic Recycling, Recovery Plan: OFEC

According to the Organization for the Circular Economy (OFEC), Mexico needs more comprehensive public policies that strengthen waste separation, collection, and material recovery across all categories. The statement comes in response to a study conducted by the National Association of Plastics Industries (ANIPAC), which found that Mexico leads Latin America in the recovery of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with a recycling rate exceeding 56%. Nevertheless, ANIPAC emphasized that other plastic streams remain less integrated into formal recycling systems, exposing structural gaps in Mexico’s waste management infrastructure.  

In its statement, OFEC argues that the main challenge is not plastic itself, but how it is managed once it reaches the end of its useful life. Therefore, the organization is calling for a shift in the narrative around plastics in 2026. For the group, simplified messaging and isolated bans fail to address the underlying issues and risk overlooking solutions supported by data.

Instead, OFEC advocates treating plastic as an input that, when properly managed, can be incorporated into circular production models with environmental, social, and economic benefits. The organization cited studies from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and the Center for Research and Development in Waste Sciences and Circular Economy (CIBRUC), which show that plastics integrated into circular systems can reduce environmental impacts while supporting economic activity. In light of these studies, OFEC argues evidence-based approaches should guide policy design, rather than broad restrictions that may have limited effect.

Throughout the year, the organization has emphasized several priorities to scale circularity in plastics. These include continuous environmental education, expanded recycling infrastructure, support for innovation, greater use of recycled plastics in new products, and stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia, and civil society.

“The climate crisis requires measurable and effective solutions. The circular economy is not a trend; it is a necessity,” says Jorge Chahin, President, OFEC. Chahin adds that Mexico, and the world, need to move away from linear “use-and-dispose” models.

2025: A Year of Mixed Results for Plastic Recycling 

OFEC’s call comes months after UN-led negotiations on a legally binding plastic pollution treaty concluded without agreement in Geneva. The negotiations, which brought together delegates from 184 countries, sought to phase out harmful plastics and chemicals, implement circular design criteria for products and packaging, strengthen waste management and producer responsibility, limit virgin plastic production, and finance circular economy initiatives for countries in the Global South. 

Negotiations collapsed due to disagreements over binding caps on plastic production and prohibitions on toxic chemicals. Most countries supported strict limits, while an oil-exporting minority — including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait — opposed them. The failure left no clear path to address the more than 400 million tons of plastic produced annually, a figure expected to rise 70% by 2040. 

Despite the collapse, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the Environment Program, United Nations, says that progress was made. Mexico’s lead negotiator, Camila Zepeda, noted broad agreement that harmful plastics can be phased out, and that plastics containing additives harmful to health should be addressed. Mexico and Switzerland led proposals to phase out single-use and problematic plastics while eliminating certain toxic chemicals.

Pedro Prata of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation praised Mexico’s ambitious stance: “Despite being a major producer of plastic resin, Mexico supported bold measures to eliminate problematic plastics, promote packaging redesign, and advance circular economy solutions.” He adds that voluntary action by companies remains critical in the absence of a global treaty, and that governments should work with the private sector to build on the general alignment over plastic lifecycle standards.

Mexico remains Latin America’s leading recycler of PET. According to Miguel Delgado, President, CIPRES, the country’s resin production reached 3.5Mt in 2024, with imports totaling 5.7Mt and exports 1.5Mt. In December, the country’s PetStar plant — the largest PET recycling facility in the world — received a MX$2.6 billion (US$141.7 million) investment to raise annual production capacity of food-grade recycled resin from 50,000t to 86,000t.  To achieve that output, the Toluca facility will process more than 123,000t of PET waste per year, which is equivalent to 5.5 billion bottles. The waste will be reincorporated into the value chains of Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Mexico, Bepensa, Corporación del Fuerte, Grupo RICA, Grupo Embotellador Nayar, and Embotelladora de Colima.