Chihuahua judge approves legality of Mápula landfill project

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the legality of the Mápula landfill project in Chihuahua, Mexico, potentially reviving the initiative after nearly three years of legal disputes and environmental opposition. The First District Court determined that the proposed site is not located within prohibited zones, such as protected natural areas, alluvial plains, or geological fault lines.

Despite this legal victory for the Municipality of Chihuahua, the project remains subject to strict environmental and technical conditions. These requirements include the implementation of leak prevention systems, groundwater monitoring, and leachate control measures. Additionally, a public meeting must be held to allow citizens to review the project and submit observations.

Following the ruling, Víctor Gómez Céspedes, leader of the Chihuahua Green City project, emphasized the opportunity to transition toward a circular economy. He suggested that the new infrastructure should move beyond simple waste burial and instead focus on transforming waste into an economic driver through recycling and reuse, similar to models used in Europe.