Mexico's Plastic Pollution: A Watery Grave

Mexico has one of the lowest recycling rates in the world, with just 5% of its waste being recycled. The country has seen an increase in plastic waste imports, which has been attributed to China's ban on plastic waste imports, the Mexican authorities' lax supervision, and the incomplete implementation of the Basel Convention's Plastics Amendment. In addition, Mexico's consumption of plastic has also contributed to plastic pollution, with plastic waste now making up between 15% and 20% of all waste generated in the country. This has had devastating environmental impacts, with plastic pollution leaking into Mexican waterways, rivers, beaches, and farmland, and posing a danger to both the environment and human health.

Mexico's plastic waste imports from the US have doubled in two years

Mexico is Latin America's largest importer of plastic waste, and the main destination for the plastic waste generated and exported by the United States. In 2021, Mexico received 167,548 tons of plastic waste from the US, up from 73,534 tons in 2019. This is despite an international agreement to regulate cross-border trade of this material being implemented.

The increase in plastic waste imports to Mexico can be explained by China's ban on plastic waste imports in 2018, the Mexican authorities' lax supervision, and the incomplete implementation of the Basel Convention's Plastics Amendment. However, Alethia Vázquez, a professor and researcher at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco, believes the biggest problem is domestic: "It stems from our consumption of plastic in Mexico. That is the biggest contribution to plastic pollution. Twenty years ago, plastic represented 5% of all the waste generated and now it's between 15% and 20%".

Most of the plastic waste in Mexico is improperly disposed of, giving the country one of the lowest recycling rates in the world at just 5%. When recycling is not an option, people are forced to get rid of plastic in whatever way they can, such as by burning or burying it. This has already had devastating environmental impacts, with plastic pollution leaking into many Mexican waterways, polluting rivers and beaches, as well as farmland. Plastic pollution also has dangerous consequences for human health, with studies showing how plastic particles have found their way into our food and even our bodies.

Mexico's consumption of plastic is the biggest contribution to plastic pollution

The increase in plastic waste imports to Mexico can be explained by China's ban on that type of import, the Mexican authorities' lax supervision, and the incomplete implementation of the Basel Convention's Plastics Amendment. In 2021, Mexico received 1771 tons of plastic waste from Italy, 1356 tons from Guatemala, 993 tons from Germany, and 733 tons from Austria. However, the majority of this waste is improperly disposed of, giving Mexico one of the lowest recycling rates in the world at just 5%. When recycling is not an option, people are forced to get rid of plastic in whatever way they can, such as by burning or burying it. This has already had devastating environmental impacts, with plastic pollution introducing hazardous materials into the environment, leaking into many Mexican waterways, and polluting rivers, beaches, and farmland.

Environmental organizations that monitor this phenomenon have called it "plastic waste colonialism," as seen in exports from the United States to Latin America and from Europe to Southeast Asia. Marisa Jacott of Common Frontiers states, "It is a form of environmental domination or exploitation that occurs through the transboundary shipment of waste from developed countries to less developed ones."

Mexico's recycling rate is just 5%

Mexico's low recycling rate has devastating environmental impacts. Plastic pollution has introduced hazardous materials into the environment, leaking into many Mexican waterways, polluting rivers and beaches, as well as farmland. Plastic particles have also found their way into food and even human bodies.

The increase in plastic waste imports to Mexico can be explained by China's ban on that type of import, the Mexican authorities' lax supervision, and the incomplete implementation of the Basel Convention's Plastics Amendment. However, the biggest problem is domestic consumption of plastic in Mexico, which is the biggest contribution to plastic pollution. Twenty years ago, plastic represented 5% of all the waste generated, and now it's between 15% and 20%.

Despite the low national recycling rate, there are some positive signs. Querétaro currently sets the standard in recycling practices, with 51 of the country's 241 recycling centres. It also leads the country for waste sorting, separating 57% of all trash generated. Jalisco ranks second, with 45 recycling centres and waste sorting of 40%.

Plastic pollution has introduced hazardous materials into the environment

The problem of plastic pollution in Mexico is exacerbated by the country's waste imports from other nations. In recent years, Mexico's waste imports from the United States have doubled, with the US accounting for 95% of the total plastic waste arriving in the country. In 2021, Mexico also received significant amounts of plastic waste from Italy, Guatemala, Germany, and Austria. This phenomenon, known as "plastic waste colonialism," involves the shipment of waste from developed countries to less developed ones.

According to experts, the biggest contributor to plastic pollution in Mexico is domestic consumption. Twenty years ago, plastic represented 5% of all waste generated in the country, but now it accounts for between 15% and 20%. The increase in plastic waste imports and the lack of proper disposal methods have contributed to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Mexico.

The environmental and health risks associated with plastic pollution are significant. As plastic breaks down into smaller particles, it can be ingested by animals and enter the food chain. These microplastics have been found in seafood, leading to potential health risks for humans who consume them. Additionally, the chemicals released during the burning or decomposition of plastic can contaminate water sources and soil, further impacting the environment and human health.

To address the issue of plastic pollution in Mexico, it is crucial to improve recycling rates and promote sustainable alternatives to plastic. By reducing plastic consumption and properly disposing of waste, Mexico can help mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with plastic pollution.

Plastic particles have been found in food and bodies

Plastic pollution has dangerous consequences for both the environment and human health. Studies have shown that plastic particles have found their way into our food and bodies. This is a result of the improper disposal of plastic waste, which sees it burned or buried, introducing hazardous materials into the environment.

Mexico's consumption of plastic is the biggest contribution to plastic pollution in the country. Twenty years ago, plastic represented 5% of all the waste generated, and now it is between 15% and 20%. In addition, Mexico's waste imports from the US have doubled in two years, with 167,548 tons of plastic waste imported in 2021. This increase can be explained by China's ban on plastic waste imports, Mexico's lax supervision and the incomplete implementation of the Basel Convention's Plastics Amendment.

Waste from Mexico's main trading partner represents 95% of the total plastic waste arriving in the country. In 2021, Mexico also received plastic waste from Italy, Guatemala, Germany and Austria. Environmental organisations have called this phenomenon 'plastic waste colonialism', as it sees exports from developed countries to less developed ones.

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