War on "White Pollution": BCS Congress Urges Creation of Collection Centers for Agricultural Waste and Agroplastics in 2026

The Sudcalifornian countryside faces an invisible but devastating challenge: the accumulation of agroplastics. This March 2026, the BCS State Congress issued a formal call to establish specialized collection centers for agricultural waste, particularly in high-production areas like the Santo Domingo Valley and El Vizcaíno. The goal is to stop the common practice of burning or burying mulch films, irrigation tapes, and geomembranes, which release persistent toxins into the soil and air of our rural communities.

From environmental engineering and polymer chemistry perspectives, the main risk lies in the incomplete combustion of LDPE and PVC plastics. Burning these at low temperatures generates dioxins and furans, highly carcinogenic compounds. A logistical optimization model for the collection system was discussed to ensure the capacity meets at least 85% of the peak waste generation during harvesting cycles.

In 2026, Congress highlighted that the lack of final disposal infrastructure forces farmers into illegal practices. With the creation of these centers, the aim is for municipalities like Comondú and Mulegé to have strategic logistical points that reduce waste transport costs.

In conclusion, agricultural producers and local associations are recommended to engage in parliamentary workshops to define the optimal locations for these centers. For the remainder of the legislative year, specific budget allocations are expected for the construction of the first two collection warehouses in the northern part of the state.