Latin America and the Caribbean experience some of the world’s most rapid urbanization rates, with over 80% of the population residing in cities. In a recent study published in Circular Economy and Sustainability, lead author Shogofa Rezaie and Fedra Vanhuyse investigate how two major metropolitan areas, Bogotá and Mexico City, implement circular economy (CE) strategies to address this growth. As resource consumption in the region climbs toward a projected 25 tonnes per capita, these cities face increasing pressure to transition away from linear “take-make-dispose” economic models.  

The researchers find that both cities currently maintain narrow visions of the circular economy. Rather than a holistic societal shift, strategies in Bogotá and Mexico City predominantly focus on waste management and recycling technologies. Mexico City, for instance, drives its vision through a “Zero Waste” plan, aiming to reduce landfill waste by 50% compared to 2018 levels. Similarly, Bogotá aims to become a regional benchmark, yet its approach relies heavily on technocratic solutions for waste and water sectors.  

A critical gap identified in the study is the limited engagement with diverse stakeholder groups, particularly the informal sector. In Bogotá alone, approximately 25,000 informal waste workers, known as recicladores, collect and sort roughly 18% of the city’s 1,600 tonnes of daily waste. despite their significant contribution to material recovery, these workers often face precarious conditions and exclusion from high-level policy design. The authors argue that failing to integrate social and cultural factors into CE planning leads to strategies that overlook inequality and poverty reduction.  

The study applies the Urban Circularity Assessment Framework (UCAF) to these contexts. While the framework proves useful, the authors conclude that it requires adaptation to capture local institutional characteristics and social challenges specific to the Global South. For a successful transition, the authors urge policymakers to move beyond technology-driven approaches and foster inclusive, place-based strategies that actively involve civil society and the informal workforce.

Rezaie, S., & Vanhuyse, F. (2025). Urban circularity in Latin America and the Caribbean: A comparative case study of Bogotá and Mexico City. Circular Economy and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-025-00554-y