Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – In response to mounting public and business pressure, the waste management concessionaire, Red Ambiental, has announced the restoration of daily garbage collection in the Zona Romántica and city center. This comes after weeks of discontent sparked by a new system that reduced garbage collection to just three times a week, a change that significantly disrupted operations in the city’s most commercially active and tourist-heavy areas.
The move back to daily waste collection includes three scheduled pickups—morning, afternoon, and night—from the city center to Olas Altas. This adjustment, confirmed by Francisco Gabriel Vizcaíno Rendón, president of Coparmex, aims to address the overwhelming accumulation of waste in these high-traffic areas, which host a large concentration of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife venues.
The reduced collection schedule introduced by Red Ambiental at the start of its 15-year concession caused widespread frustration among local residents, businesses, and tourism service providers. The problem was particularly pronounced in areas like the Romantic Zone, where waste generation is significantly higher due to the concentration of commercial activity and tourist influx.
Following extensive complaints and media coverage, municipal president Luis Munguía intervened by deploying city-owned garbage trucks as a temporary solution. This emergency measure was implemented while municipal authorities and Red Ambiental’s management worked to address the logistical issues.
“The municipal president was instrumental in ensuring waste collection resumed temporarily using the city’s resources. This served as a stopgap while Red Ambiental refined its operations, with a better understanding of the specific needs of different neighborhoods and streets,” said Vizcaíno Rendón.
Key stakeholders, including residents, business owners, and tourism representatives, collaborated with Coparmex and municipal authorities to advocate for improvements. Their efforts culminated in a revised plan that reinstated daily garbage collection schedules tailored to the needs of high-waste zones.
Vizcaíno Rendón acknowledged the openness of Red Ambiental to these discussions, emphasizing the company’s willingness to adapt to feedback. “This was a collaborative effort between local stakeholders and the concessionaire. The return to three daily schedules demonstrates the importance of community input in public services,” he stated.
In addition to the reinstated collection schedule, the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, a key area within the Romantic Zone, has successfully piloted the installation of garbage containers. Residents of Francisco I. Madero Street organized and requested a communal container to streamline waste disposal and alleviate traffic disruptions during collection times.
“This initiative has proven successful, keeping the streets clean and orderly. It’s a model that could be replicated in other areas, provided local residents come to an agreement to foster a culture of order and cleanliness,” Vizcaíno Rendón noted.
The reestablishment of daily garbage collection and the introduction of communal containers mark an important step toward addressing waste management challenges in Puerto Vallarta’s busiest areas. Authorities and community leaders are optimistic that these measures will improve public hygiene, reduce disruptions, and enhance the city’s appeal to residents and visitors alike.
As Puerto Vallarta continues to grow as a tourist destination, stakeholders agree that collaboration and adaptability are essential to ensuring public services meet the demands of its evolving urban landscape.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – In response to mounting public and business pressure, the waste management concessionaire, Red Ambiental, has announced the restoration of daily garbage collection in the Zona Romántica and city center. This comes after weeks of discontent sparked by a new system that reduced garbage collection to just three times a week, a change that significantly disrupted operations in the city's most commercially active and tourist-heavy areas.
