Mexico's New General Law on the Circular Economy: What It Means for Organic Waste

Mexico's General Law on the Circular Economy (Ley General de Economía Circular) was published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on January 19, 2026, and took effect the next day. As a general law, it applies nationwide.

What it sets out

• Extended producer responsibility.
• Objectives to cut food waste and to send waste to final disposal only when no recovery option is technically and economically viable.
• Promotion of composting for organic waste.
• A 180-day deadline for the federal regulation and for state congresses to align their laws. Both deadlines passed in July 2026; check the Diario Oficial de la Federación for the regulation's current status. States that have not aligned their laws must apply the general law.

The Mexico City case

In the capital, the Solid Waste Law already requires every generator, businesses included, to separate organic and inorganic waste. Generators averaging 50 kg (110 lb) or more a day count as high-volume generators and need a waste management plan authorized by the city's environment ministry (SEDEMA). Restaurants and hotels should check whether they reach that threshold.

What to do with the organics

Processing food waste where it is produced cuts what has to be collected and makes fresh compost for green areas. An OCTOEN composter runs a 12-24 hour composting cycle and reduces volume by up to 90%.

Talk to us or see the regulations page.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the official source or ask a qualified advisor before you rely on a rule.