SEMARNAT Presents Eco-Recycling Park Plan in Hidalgo Meetings

Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) met with business leaders, municipal authorities and ejidatarios from Tula de Allende and Atitalaquia to outline federal progress on environmental restoration in the region and to detail the proposed Ecological and Recycling Park, a flagship project under the federal government’s ecological policy. The session forms part of a broader effort to strengthen trust and transparency around federal environmental interventions in Hidalgo.

The meetings were led by Germán Ruiz Méndez, director general of Sustainable Urban Environmental Development, and Patricia Arendar Lerner, director of Strategic Projects at SEMARNAT. Both officials emphasized that federal work in the area seeks to address environmental degradation that has accumulated over five decades. They also underscored the importance of intergovernmental coordination to ensure long-term continuity of the restoration efforts.

Ruiz said the government is implementing an integrated plan that includes the cleanup of the Tula and Salado rivers, installation of collectors and pumping stations, reforestation of riparian areas, reinforcement of riverbanks, removal and processing of water hyacinth at the Endhó Dam, mosquito control, and measures linked to the energy transition. “The project will help decontaminate the area and recover the environment and the future of Hidalgo,” he said. He added that the initiative aligns with national commitments on climate resilience and improved water management.

The Ecological and Recycling Park is framed as a presidential initiative intended to support a shift toward circular economy practices while providing environmental recovery and public amenities. The project envisions an industrial zone dedicated to circular economy production alongside an ecological park featuring recreational areas, wetlands, nurseries, bike paths, and public spaces. According to SEMARNAT, the park aims to become a model for regional green industrial development.

Arendar highlighted the shared responsibility required to improve waste management statewide. “In waste management, we are all responsible: companies, communities, citizens, and the government. We need to give value to waste and extend its useful life,” she said. She noted that the current system in Hidalgo requires structural solutions that combine education, regulatory compliance, and technological projects with a social focus. She also emphasized that improving waste governance is essential for reducing illegal dumping and strengthening local environmental resilience.

She stressed that federal actions in the state—including the cleanup of the Endhó Dam and the Tula River, reforestation, installation of collectors, and removal of agrochemicals—are measurable and ongoing. “The secretary, Alicia Bárcena, was very clear: we will not rest until the environmental problems affecting communities in the region are resolved,” Arendar said. SEMARNAT plans to publish periodic progress updates to maintain public oversight of the project.

During an open dialogue session, SEMARNAT officials reiterated that the restoration initiatives and the proposed park aim to address long-standing pollution under a model of environmental justice and transparency. They clarified that the project is not a landfill, incinerator, or waste site, and will not receive refuse from other states. Instead, it is designed as an integrated restoration and sustainable development project. Officials noted that the design follows international best practices for circularity and urban ecological recovery.

SEMARNAT will continue informational sessions in the region to support public participation ahead of the December 14 citizen consultation, ensuring communities have access to clear and verifiable information about the proposal.