WASTE AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS IN MEXICO

Abstract

Although traditionally the terms waste and garbage have been considered synonymous, there is a difference between both concepts since we speak of garbage when referring to those surplus materials that apparently can not be used again, while the term waste, on the other hand, serves to identify those materials that may have value and that can be recycled or reused. In this sense, the recent Mexican legislation on the circular economy intends, precisely, to move towards a conception of waste as a usable input. In this context, the use of economic instruments has been proposed as very effective to achieve the objectives of the circular economy and, therefore, a special section is dedicated to them in recent legislation. This paper begins with a review of the legal framework on waste, provided for in administrative law, analyzes its legal instruments and ends with the analysis of economic instruments in environmental matters that may be applicable to waste and that favor the achievement of the objectives of the circular economy. Documentary research will be carried out with the aim of taking data and the analytical method will be used to draw conclusions from these.