Formal and Informal E-waste Collection in Mexico City

Abstract

Cities in emerging countries, which attract the rural population with their higher living standards, cause various problems affecting the environment. One of them is the fast increasing amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), known as “e-waste”. One of the main prerequisites for a sustainable e-waste management is the separate collection. This study discusses the collection system of e-waste in Mexico City, both formal and informal. The formal collection includes the separate collection of e-waste according to the new separation system. In addition, the government is running two other initiatives, the Barter Market and Reciclatron, which represent collection sites for e-waste. However, these efforts are not sufficient, which is why the informal sector plays a significant role in collection, recycling and disposal of e-waste.