The Secretariat of Sustainable Development (Sedesu) reported that both urban solid waste and special handling waste contributed to 3% of the greenhouse gases emitted by the state of Querétaro during the previous year. Regarding air quality in the Metropolitan Area, 156 days with poor quality were recorded throughout 2023, marking a significant increase compared to the 102 days counted in the previous year.
The 2023 Annual Report on Environmental Management in the State of Querétaro indicated that during the same year, a saving of 130 thousand tons of waste, 259 thousand tons of carbon dioxide, 112 gigawatt-hours of energy, and 2.9 million liters of water was achieved, with an estimated value of 515 million pesos. However, a 2.8% increase in urban solid waste generation in Querétaro was observed compared to the previous year.
The report indicated that 2,679 tons of garbage were generated daily in the state, which represented an increase in the average garbage per inhabitant. On the other hand, daily generation of 7 thousand tons of special handling waste was reported, of which 58.2% were recovered and the rest deposited in the state's landfills.
According to the Pollutant Emissions Inventory, PM10 particles, along with ozone and PM2.5, represented a significant health risk to the population in Querétaro. Furthermore, it was highlighted that 7 of the 11 aquifers in the region are in a state of deficit, indicating an improvement compared to the previous year.
Sedesu also emphasized that 60% of the state territory is experiencing erosion and that some animal and plant species are at risk in the region. Finally, sustainable practices implemented by the state government as part of the Circular Economy System were highlighted. During the year, the Metropolitan Area of Querétaro experienced an average of 3 days with poor air quality per week, compared to the 2 days recorded per week in the previous year.
