Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Luis Munguía administration has launched an electronics recycling campaign to keep e-waste out of landfills and stop toxic pollutants from seeping into our air, soil and water. From June 4 to 6, residents can drop off working, intact devices at five convenient sites across the city. The drive, led by the Environmental Sustainability Directorate, aims to raise awareness of proper e-waste disposal and give old electronics a second life.
Electronic waste contains heavy metals and chemicals—like lead, mercury and cadmium—that pose serious health and environmental risks if left to decompose in municipal trash. When circuit boards end up in dumps, incinerated or broken down informally, they release toxins that can damage ecosystems and contribute to respiratory, neurological and developmental problems in nearby communities. By collecting these items separately, Puerto Vallarta prevents pollutants from entering our food chain and conserves valuable materials—such as gold, copper and rare earth elements—that can be refurbished or recycled.
To make recycling simple, the campaign will run June 4–6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The five temporary collection points are:
- Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Complex (in front of the Sheraton)
- Municipal Administrative Unit (UMA)
- La Lija Sports Complex
- University Center of the Coast
- Main Plaza of the Las Palmas Delegation
Residents can bring a wide range of electronic items, including laptops, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, plasma TVs, decoders, landline and cordless phones, modems, control panels, blenders, coffee makers, toasters, refrigerators, common batteries, digital cameras, drones, electronic cards, microwaves, USB cables and more. Each accepted item will enter a certified recycling stream, where trained technicians will separate and process components for safe disposal or material recovery.
To keep the drive focused and efficient, organizers will not accept the following:
- Household recyclables such as plastics, paper, cardboard or glass
- Scrap metal or loose metal pieces
- Toner cartridges, printer ink, paints or lamps
- Clothing, textiles or wooden furniture
- Appliances that are completely burned, incinerated or manually dismantled
- Any device not on the pre-established list
Broken, manually tampered-with or non-functional electronics will unfortunately remain ineligible. Organizers also prohibit removing items once deposited. This ensures every device follows the correct environmental protocols without contamination or loss.
“This campaign puts Puerto Vallarta at the forefront of sustainable practices,” said the Environmental Sustainability Director. “We’ve seen how e-waste can endanger our beaches and drinking water. By bringing laptops, TVs or even old coffee makers to our collection points, everyone can play a part in protecting our environment and conserving resources.”
Community groups, schools and neighborhood associations are encouraged to spread the word. Informational flyers, social-media posts and on-site volunteers will guide residents through drop-off procedures. There’s no cost to participate—this is a purely environmental initiative, funded by the city without any profit motive.
E-waste recycling also creates economic opportunities. Certified processing centers employ skilled workers to dismantle devices, sort materials and manage hazardous components. Recovered metals and plastics feed back into manufacturing, reducing the need for virgin mining and cutting greenhouse-gas emissions tied to raw-material extraction.
This electronics recycling campaign reflects the broader sustainability goals of the Munguía administration, which include expanding green spaces, reducing single-use plastics and increasing household recycling rates citywide. Last year’s community composting pilot diverted over 50 tons of organic waste from landfills; this month’s e-waste drive will add another front in Puerto Vallarta’s fight against pollution.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Luis Munguía administration has launched an electronics recycling campaign to keep e-waste out of landfills and stop toxic . . .
