Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Germán Ruiz Méndez, the General Director of Urban Environmental Development and Performance at Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), is leading the charge in promoting circular economy strategies across Mexico. His efforts aim to harmonize local and national approaches to waste management, emphasizing resource efficiency and sustainability.
Development of Circular Economy Strategies
During the panel discussion on circular economy and decarbonization policy in Mexico at the Co2 & Circular Economy Business Summit 2025 in Querétaro, Ruiz Méndez announced that ten federal entities have established local frameworks for implementing circular economy approaches to waste management.
National Policy and Legal Framework
Semarnat is currently developing a national circular economy policy, which will encompass public policies and legal frameworks. This includes the establishment of development poles for circular economy initiatives, with Hidalgo being the first, and interest expressed in creating poles for Quintana Roo and Mexico City.
General Circular Economy Law
A general circular economy law is also in the works, with ten initiatives from both deputies and senators addressing circular economy elements. The goal is to create a single document for discussion in upcoming weeks.
The primary focus of this law will be to transform waste management systems towards material reuse, emphasizing circular economy principles.
State-Level Projects
Various state projects are underway, such as sargasso treatment in Quintana Roo, waste system reconfiguration in Tlaxcala, and tequila production-related projects in Jalisco. These initiatives align with the states’ productive vocations and will be guided by the national circular economy policy, legal framework, and regulations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the national circular economy policy? It encompasses public policies and legal frameworks aimed at transforming waste management systems towards material reuse and circular economy principles.
- Which states have local frameworks for circular economy waste management? Ten federal entities, including Baja California, Estado de México, Morelos, Ciudad de México, Querétaro, and Quintana Roo, along with seven others with circular economy-related initiatives, have established local frameworks.
- What are the development poles for circular economy? These poles are strategic initiatives aimed at fostering circular economy practices and innovation within specific regions. The first pole will be established in Hidalgo, with interest expressed in creating poles for Quintana Roo and Mexico City.
- What is the purpose of the general circular economy law? The law aims to prioritize a gradual transition from traditional waste management to a circular economy model, emphasizing resource efficiency and sustainability.
