Tula Faces Environmental Crisis Amidst Garbage Accumulation

Tula, Mexico, and its surrounding municipalities are grappling with a severe environmental crisis driven by a mounting garbage problem. The collapse of the local sanitary landfill, which processed approximately 600 tons of waste daily, has led to uncollected trash piling up in the streets. This situation affects 14 municipalities in total, including five from the State of Mexico.

Miguel Ángel Tello Vargas, Secretary of Planning and Prospective, explained that the landfill's failure stems from the operating company, Tecnosilicatos de México S.A. de C.V., neglecting essential sanitation and environmental compliance. Attempts to construct a new landfill cell were deemed unviable. Furthermore, a proposed circular economy park intended to resolve the region's waste issues failed to materialize due to public opposition.

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The company had to request the extension, update, or construction of a new cell so as not to affect the collection of the 14 municipalities.

Mónica Mixtega, Hidalgo's Secretary of Environment, noted that her department had requested environmental impact permits for the company in 2019. The company was supposed to seek an extension or build a new cell before its permit expired in 2024. However, a legal dispute involving a judgment of nullity granted by the State of Hidalgo's Administrative Justice Tribunal prevented the environmental department from imposing sanctions. This allowed the company to continue managing waste until the cell's collapse.

Mixtega emphasized that waste management, including collection, transport, and final disposal, is primarily the responsibility of the municipalities. While some local governments have expressed interest in establishing a regional landfill, the state government has not allocated funding for such projects. Securing suitable land, approved environmental impact studies, and advanced project plans are crucial prerequisites for state investment, which cannot be directed towards rented or private land.

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The municipalities are the ones who have to work directly with waste management, as collection, transport, and final disposal are their responsibility.