Puerto Vallarta Mayor Luis Munguía has given Red Ambiental, the company responsible for the city’s garbage collection, one month to restore normal service or risk losing its contract.
The ultimatum follows months of complaints from residents about uncollected waste in more than 300 neighborhoods. Problems began last December when the company introduced a new collection schedule, switching from daily pickups to every third day. Despite a public information campaign launched in January to help residents adjust to new routes and times, trash has continued to accumulate across the city.
Approved in December 2024, the 15-year contract was valued at 867 million pesos for the first three years and promised better service at a lower cost. The model also aimed to promote proper waste separation and management. However, it failed in practice due to both the company’s inability to fulfill route obligations and the difficulty many residents faced in adapting to the new collection times.
“There was an opportunity to design a model that offered a comprehensive solution, but it didn’t work as expected,” Munguía said. “We hoped this would solve the problem, but now we are setting a limit. If service isn’t back to normal within a month, we will review the contract termination clauses. There will be no turning back.”
The city has outlined clear demands for the company to meet within the deadline: full route coverage in all neighborhoods, prevention of trash buildup in public areas, compliance with established schedules, and transparent reporting on measures taken to improve efficiency.
Munguía stressed that reliable garbage collection is essential for public health, the city’s image as a tourist destination, and the quality of life of Vallarta residents. He emphasized that this deadline is about more than restoring order—it is about protecting communities, preserving the city’s environment, and ensuring Puerto Vallarta remains a destination where residents and visitors alike can enjoy clean and safe surroundings.
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