Oaxaca proposes integrating ancestral knowledge into Circular Economy Law

A legislative initiative has been presented to the LXVI Legislature of the Congress of the State of Oaxaca to integrate ancestral knowledge into the State Circular Economy Law. Proposed by Deputy Karla Clarissa Bornios Peláez of the Morena parliamentary group, the reform seeks to formally incorporate the principle of Interculturality to promote the equitable integration of traditional knowledge in sustainable management and the reuse of natural resources.

The project aims to empower municipalities to adopt and promote community recycling and sustainable waste management practices already utilized by local artisans. It also establishes a mandate to register and rescue these traditional techniques and ensures the inclusion of older adults in circular economy production chains, recognizing them as guardians of land management and collective values.

In Oaxaca, there are over 400,000 older adults from indigenous communities and an estimated population of 95,000 to 400,000 artisans who apply regenerative economy models daily, such as traditional textile processes using natural dyes and biodegradable fibers.