On Thursday, December 19, the first stage of the reform of the State Integral Waste Management Law will go into effect in Yucatan. The initiative aims an eliminating the use of plastic straws, carry bags of a single use and styrofoam containers, it has been approved by the State Congress and is planned to operate in phases.
In this regard, president of the Merida Sustainability Commission, Jesús Pérez Ballote, said they are about to approve the “Clean and Solid Waste Regulation” reform, also known as “Regulation for the Integrated Management of Solid Waste” (Reglamento para la Gestión Integral de Residuos Sólidos).
It should be remembered that on June 18, the Official Gazette of the State Government published an amendment to the Law for the Integral Management of the Waste of the State of Yucatan, approved by the local Congress, to eliminate the use of plastic straws, single-use carry bags and styrofoam containers.
On Monday Dec. 2nd, Pérez Ballote declared that in the first stage, the use of plastic straws and carry bags in natural reserves and around cenotes is now prohibited.
He explained that these sites will only allow the use of products made from biodegradable materials, and plastic bags made with a minimum of 30 percent recycled material.
In this regard, he said that the first stage will officially kick off on December 19 in nature reserves and areas around cenotes.
“In Mérida, plastic will be prohibited at the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve, which covers nine communities south of the city, such as Dzununcán, San José Tzal, Dzoyaxché, among others. The law will also go into effect in the Dzibilchaltún Reserve, northern Merida, and plastic will also be banned near the Dzibilchaltún cenote, ata a perimieter yet to be defined” said the official.
Jesús Pérez added that within six months, the second stage of the reform will take effect, when the use of styrofoam containers in ecological reserves and near cenotes will be banned. Twelve months later the use of straws will be 100% banned throughout the city, as well as carry plastic bags.
“As soon as the Regulation for the Integrated Management of Solid Waste comes into effect, we will comply with the law in a timely manner,” concluded Councilor Jesús Pérez Ballote.
The Yucatan Times Newsroom
