Waste Separation in CDMX Mandatory in 2026

Starting in 2026, separating organic, inorganic, and recyclable waste will become mandatory in Mexico City. Through this initiative, the city government aims to transform 50% of the waste generated in the capital by 2030.

Clara Brugada, Mexico City’s Major, led the installation of the Governing Body of the city’s Integrated Waste Management Agency (AGIR), a decentralized public entity that will promote sustainable policies for the comprehensive management of urban solid waste. Brugada emphasized that this collegiate body will be responsible for directing, authorizing, and evaluating the agency’s overall operations, ensuring strategic planning, proper implementation, and accountability for all its activities.

“This way, we can contribute to mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity, improving the environment, and enhancing the quality of life for Mexico City residents,” Brugada said during the ceremony. She added that the agency will be key to reaching the goal of transforming 50% of the city’s waste by 2030.

The campaign, titled Transform Your City: Every Piece of Waste in Its Place, will be implemented through three lines of action. The planning and launch phase will focus on informing the public about proper waste separation and raising awareness of its importance. The preparation phase will begin in 2026, marking the start of differentiated waste collection across households, schools, businesses, offices, and other establishments to make this practice the norm.

Finally, during the activation phase, the initiative will continue through 2030 with permanent communication, education, and environmental culture strategies. These will include workshops, digital capsules, fairs, radio and television spots, and community activities across all 16 boroughs.

The program will maintain ongoing coordination with borough governments and key stakeholders, such as sanitation workers, to ensure efficient, differentiated collection throughout the city. Each waste type will have a designated destination: organic waste will be sent for composting and hydrothermal carbonization processes; recyclable inorganic waste will go to recycling plants; and non-recyclable materials will be converted into refuse-derived fuel, significantly reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.

The strategy includes an investment of MX$250 million to acquire new waste collection vehicles. For every truck purchased by a borough government, the city will contribute an additional one. “We already have 34 new vehicles purchased,” Brugada confirmed. 

Regarding organic waste management, the city plans to increase processing capacity by 50% to produce 400,000t of compost. To achieve this, MX$150 million (US$8.1 million) will be invested in upgrading the Bordo Poniente recycling plant. Additionally, Raúl Basulto, Mexico City’s Minister of Works and Services, explained that new composting plants are planned for the eastern zone of the city, particularly in Xochimilco, Milpa Alta, and Tlahuac.

Basulto also noted that the department is working on expanding rubble-crushing facilities to make better use of construction waste. He announced the construction of a specialized plant for processing tires and rubber, which will recycle and transform more than 250,000 tires per year into waterproofing materials and other useful products.

He added that another priority project will focus on reusing asphalt mixture residues, known as RAP, to produce new materials for road resurfacing works. “Mexico City is moving toward a profound transformation in solid waste management, in coordination with AGIR,” Basulto said.