Mexico to reduce emissions by addressing municipal waste

Mexico City is making strides towards reducing its municipal waste, as it has announced the closure of one of the world’s largest landfill sites, Bordo Poniente. The site received 12,000 tonnes per day at its peak, but this has been reduced by half in recent times with recycling and compost plants taking over the load.

The closure of the site is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with some waste being sold as fuel as well as plans for building waste reprocessing and a methane to energy plant on the old site.

Mexicoalso has many people who use tips for scavenging a living; it has been suggested that they may be given jobs in the new recycling industry. Having been open for 26 years and accounting for a large volume of waste, many scavengers have relied on the site for some time. Currently they have been offered verbal assurance only of this, however it is hoped there will be a written confirmation soon. Several new sites will be used to store the remaining rubbish until a new recycling program can begin in the New Year.

According to the government, the percentage of waste recycled has ballooned from six per cent three years ago to a current level of 60 per cent. There has also been a large clamp down on illegal dumping, which has effectively increased the input of waste into the system.