The fight against plastic pollution on Mexican coasts has taken a new step forward with the signing of a key agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) and Ecoce, the organization responsible for managing recyclable waste. Both parties are committed to installing free collection stations on the country's beaches to promote the collection, sorting, and registration of recyclable inorganic waste—especially PET plastic—during clean-up days that involve civil society and institutions at all levels.
This agreement falls within the framework of Mexico's National Strategy for Cleaning and Conserving Beaches and Coasts 2025-2030 , promoted by the federal government and Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum. The collaboration aims to foster comprehensive waste management, ensuring the efficient separation and recycling of containers and bottles after use, and promoting a circular economy at all stages of the process.
A commitment that goes beyond the government
Those responsible for the agreement emphasize that the problem of plastic waste on beaches originates primarily from land-based activities : it is estimated that 80% of the waste found on coastlines comes from homes and urban areas far from the sea. Therefore, the Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration, Marina Robles GarcÃa, stressed that the solution requires the direct involvement of citizens, businesses, and government agencies, going beyond mere governmental action.
The strategy also includes lending recycling bags for collection campaigns and Ecoce's responsibility for recording the collected waste, as well as reporting on the positive environmental impact generated. The transport of recyclable materials to collection or recycling centers will also be managed by this association, while Semarnat will be responsible for the proper processing of waste that cannot be recycled, coordinating with other relevant authorities.
According to official data, between 60% and 90% of the waste found on Mexican beaches consists of plastics and microplastics . Globally, it is estimated that approximately 13 million tons of this waste end up in the oceans each year, generating negative effects on both human health and marine biodiversity.
Ambitious goals and multisectoral cooperation
The major challenge is to completely eliminate plastic waste from Mexico's beaches and coastlines by 2030. The strategy kicked off on June 5th with a large-scale, simultaneous cleanup effort at various locations across the country, including Puerto Progreso, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Puerto Morelos. The plan is to work over the next six years in all 17 coastal states, involving different federal government agencies, the Mexican Navy, local governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Marina Robles recalled that efforts to improve waste management, especially of PET, have been a priority since the creation of the first law on the matter in Mexico City more than two decades ago , which laid the foundation for organizations like Ecoce to develop intersectoral working models that are now being consolidated with this new national project.
The collaborative model underscores the importance of ensuring that recyclable waste—and especially PET plastic—actually reaches recycling plants . Ecoce will be responsible for organizing, weighing, sorting, and properly disposing of these materials, bringing its extensive experience in circular economy initiatives to the project.
From an institutional perspective, this initiative is considered an example of the need for governments, private companies, and civil society to join forces . Jorge Terrazas, CEO of Ecoce, emphasized that current environmental challenges cannot be solved by a single actor but require the collective and coordinated commitment of all sectors involved.
Impact on health and the marine environment
The accumulation of plastics, and PET in particular, seriously affects marine life and human health due to the increasing presence of microplastics in the food chain. For this reason, the convention emphasizes both reducing the visual and landscape impact and controlling substances that can have adverse effects on people and the environment. Furthermore, clean-up campaigns raise awareness about the importance of responsible consumption and the proper management of plastic waste.
Ecoce's experience in PET management is not new . In fact, its creation was linked to the first management and recycling schemes for this material in Mexico, which has allowed it to consolidate a collection network and collaborate with different sectors to give a second life to millions of plastic bottles.
Thanks to this agreement and coordinated efforts, Mexico is expected to make significant progress in reducing plastic pollution along its coasts in the coming years. The national strategy lays the foundation for the active participation of all social and economic stakeholders in the transition toward a truly circular economy in the management of PET and other plastic waste.