According to data from UN Environment3.7 million tons of oil and gas will be produced by 2020. plastic pollution entered the ocean from countries in the region of the Latin America and the Caribbean. The Government of Mexico recognizes that this is a significant environmental problem because it jeopardizes the conservation and sustainable use of the country's natural resources.

So what is being done in Mexico to address this situation and mitigate the risks that plastic pollution poses to the environment?

Currently, 31 of the 32 states have established bans and restrictions on different single-use products, including a ban on disposable plastic bags and straws and products made with expanded polystyrene, as well as on microplastics added to personal care products. In addition, 13 states and 21 municipalities are part of the campaign. Global Clean SeasUN Environment highlights.

In addition, the Mexico City reinforced its commitment to eliminating plastic pollution by becoming the first megacity in the region to join the Global Commitment to the New Plastics EconomyThe company has established a baseline for action on plastic waste, while strengthening innovation and moving towards the promotion of a circular economy.

Plastic accounts for about 10% to 12% of municipal solid waste composition, and recycling and waste recovery rates typically remain below 10 % in the countries of the region.

In search of scientific information on what is happening with plastic, the Government of Mexico, through SEMARNATdeveloped the first National Inventory of Plastic Contamination Sources (INFCP), which is the basis for establishing the National Action Plan on Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution (REMAR Plan), which is under development and aims to prevent and mitigate the environmental effects of marine debris and plastic pollution.

What does the INFCP reveal?

The National Inventory of Plastic Pollution Sources was developed by researchers at UAM-A, and it gathers and analyzes information on the plastic pollution in Mexico throughout their life cycle, identifying the main points of leakage into ecosystems, which will make it possible to define priority actions to reduce their impact.

The research highlights that the per capita consumption of plastics in Mexico was estimated at 66 kg per inhabitant per year, and the generation of plastic waste was 59 kg per inhabitant per year. It is estimated that between 38% and 58% of this waste is poorly managed and has a high potential to leak into the environment.

"Waste management was identified as one of the main sources of plastic pollution in Mexico. Collection coverage is 83%, as some rural municipalities far from urban centers lack this public service. In these cases, waste is burned in the open air or dumped directly into rivers, streams and other natural ecosystems," the document states.

There are 2,200 waste disposal sites in the country, which are the most likely end-of-life scenario for plastic waste, but only 2% can be classified as "fully controlled". Most of the sites are classified in the "uncontrolled" category, and approximately 50% of the waste is deposited in them.

"This situation is critical in coastal areas: 11% of the country's disposal sites are near the coast (within 5 km), and 92% of these are 'uncontrolled'," the Inventory notes.

Other major sources of plastic pollution

It is estimated that 280,000 tons of cement are used in Mexico each year. agroplasticsThese are composed mainly of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate and polymethacrylates, which, once their useful life is over, become waste that is difficult to manage or recycle due to their deterioration, fragmentation, high volume and contamination with agrochemicals.

The plastics industry in Mexico includes the production of plastic resins that are marketed in the form of pellets, both virgin and recycled.

Tourism is one of the main economic activities in the country; in 2017 alone, more than 35 million visitors came to tourist locations along the national coast. Although there is no record of the volume of waste produced in the sector, international estimates indicate a daily generation of 7.87 kg/inhabitant.

Another source of microplastics is tires, with the friction and wear generated by their use. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of the microplastics present in the ocean are from this source. No specific information was found in Mexico, but given the size of the vehicle fleet and road conditions, it is expected that this is a source that should be analyzed in greater depth.

Fishing and aquaculture are also considered relevant sources of plastic pollution to the ocean, due to the loss and abandonment of nets, traps and other fishing gear.

Plastic pollution in Mexico

Plastic waste and microplastics have been found in different ecosystems in the country, including the 11,000 km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Their presence has been confirmed in surface water, water column, sediments, beaches and biota; plastic contamination has reached vulnerable areas, such as protected natural areas and islands.

The study of the plastic waste present on Mexican beaches has shown that it constitutes at least 60% of the waste present, although in some cases its proportion reaches 90%.

The most frequently found plastic waste includes lids, plates, disposable cups and cutlery, bags, bottles and cigarette butts. In addition, a very high proportion of plastic fragments has been found, indicating the relevance of poor waste management as a source of microplastic formation. The case of cigarette butts requires special attention, since they can constitute a source of toxic compounds, in addition to contributing to plastic pollution.

Microplastics were found on all the beaches that were studied for the preparation of the INFCP, with above average concentrations on beaches in Tijuana, Nayarit, the Caribbean and the state of Veracruz. In addition, their entry into the trophic chain has been verified, as they have been found in plankton, fish, oysters, shrimp, turtles, octopus, starfish and sharks.

Microplastics have also been found in soils, terrestrial invertebrates and birds, as well as in energy drinks, bottled teas, dairy products and beer. While the specific effects on affected species have not been identified, the presence of plastics in the food chain poses a potential food safety risk to humans and other species.

Plastics and microplastics can cause direct damage due to entanglement, tissue damage and eating disorders; they can also carry and leach additives, contaminants that adhere to their surface, and pathogens.

Sources: UN Environment, Semarnat