Trash collected at night

Ecatepec initiated a free, nighttime domestic waste collection program at the start of 2026, targeting zones adjacent to nine ravines. This service operates with 20 routes covering 375 streets, primarily to prevent refuse from ending up in water channels. The initiative was expanded to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc on May 15. In the Miguel Hidalgo borough, the "Programa Tecolote," running for two years, assists residents unable to use morning cleaning services and discourages clandestine dumping.

Residents in both regions have expressed approval for these actions, highlighting benefits such as the absence of fees. In Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, a neighborhood with significant development needs within Ecatepec, the program begins at 10 p.m. and concludes at 1 a.m. The municipal government's free nighttime service surprised inhabitants who previously had to pay independent collectors significant fees, such as the 100 pesos charged for mattress disposal.

Municipal trucks collect waste on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Residents, including children, are aware of the collection times and bring their waste to street corners. Carlos Cruz Ramos, Ecatepec's Director of Public Services, who also drives a collection truck, noted that neighbors sometimes share coffee, food, or cookies with the workers as a gesture of gratitude. The program's success is evident in the organized queues residents form to dispose of their trash, ensuring it is collected and processed efficiently.