"Guide to the Mexico Plastic Pact promotes actions against pollution."

At a crucial moment for environmental sustainability, this month saw the launch of the first guide of the Mexico Plastics Pact, a joint effort aimed at addressing the challenges posed by plastics in our environment. As concerns over plastic pollution intensify, this guide serves as a fundamental tool for the private sector, providing a clear approach to ten types of plastics deemed problematic and avoidable in the national context. The guide particularly focuses on plastics used in packaging and containers in the food and beverage industry, as well as personal care and household products. These plastics have generated an alarming volume of waste that escapes into the environment, posing risks to both public health and biodiversity. Diana Castro, an academic and collaborator of the Pact, warns that while we speak of a "plastic age," this material will not disappear completely; instead, the goal is to pursue more responsible and circular management. The plastics highlighted in the guide meet criteria that demonstrate their high likelihood of leaking into the environment and their negative impact on human health. Among them are microplastics that are intentionally added to various products, as well as those that hinder the effective recycling of other materials. This classification allows companies and regulators to identify and prioritize actions to mitigate the impact of these materials. The strategies proposed in the guide are diverse, ranging from the gradual elimination of certain plastics to replacing them with less harmful materials. Among the most impactful recommendations is the elimination of microplastics in products such as exfoliants and creams, as well as a call to reduce the unnecessary use of plastic packaging for fruits that do not require additional protection. There is also advocacy for the replacement of disposable straws and PVC labels, as well as attention to expanded polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam. Redesigning products is another strategy considered. The guide proposes working on opaque or pigmented PET, which complicates recycling processes. The idea is to ensure that materials maintain their purity, which would facilitate their reintegration into the recycling chain. This approach aims not only to reduce the amount of plastics ending up in landfills or the ocean but also to improve the efficiency of existing recycling. Furthermore, the guide emphasizes the need to enhance recycling systems, especially regarding polystyrene, which, despite being a questioned material, remains necessary for packaging products like dairy. It proposes special attention to collection, revaluation, and the creation of adequate infrastructure, representing an important step toward a circular economy where plastics can be effectively reused. The Mexico Plastics Pact, supported by organizations such as WWF Mexico and WRAP, seeks to create a collaborative framework involving various key companies in the plastics value chain. This joint effort is crucial for advancing the circularity of these materials and protecting the environment. In this sense, a call to action is made for the involved sectors to make decisions that favor sustainable and responsible practices. The path to sustainability is not easy, and the transition proposed by this guide requires a serious and long-term commitment from both companies and consumers. Every action counts, and collaboration will be essential to achieve the necessary changes that allow us to break free from the linear consumption cycle that has dominated the plastic age. As the proposed strategies in the guide are implemented, it will be vital to monitor and evaluate the results to ensure that sustainability objectives are met. The hope lies in advancing toward a future where plastic management is responsible and respectful of the environment through education and collective action. In conclusion, this effort does not signify the end of plastic but a call for the transformation of its use. The Mexico Plastics Pact guide offers a path forward that prioritizes circularity, innovation, and responsibility—key factors in the fight against plastic pollution and in seeking a sustainable balance between human development and the health of the planet.