Solid waste management represents a challenge for municipalities, particularly at the collection stage. The high costs involved in its operation make it difficult to provide the service in all its communities, which results in bad practices (burning, burying, or dumping into a river) and the proliferation of open dumps. Collection efficiency is aggravated by poor route planning, narrow road networks, and irregular scheduling. This research proposes and develops the following objectives: (1) an analysis of the technical and logistical conditions of a town, (2) an improved municipal route for waste collection, and (3) the practical implications identified in the optimization of the service (challenges, strategies, and perspectives). During the study period (2018, 2019 and 2021), the following steps were carried out: (1) field trips to monitor the formal and informal routes, georeferencing each stop with a global positioning system, (2) semi-structured interviews to route personnel to learn about technical and logistical aspects, (3) the downloading of cartographic data for digitization, and (4) a network analysis aimed at designing an optimal route for formal collection and the spatial scope of the informal routes. The current technical and logistical analysis detected inefficiency in collection due to weak municipal operational planning and the irregular frequency of visits to the locality. The locality produces an average of 2.8 tons per day and its largest volume is organic waste (68.3%), followed by non-recyclable inorganic waste (21.2%), and recyclable waste (10.5%). In terms of results for the optimization of the municipal collection route, it is estimated that there will be an improvement in the time of the day of approximately 2 h less, going through 95 points when its schedule is 60 collection points, while the distance factor does not suffer changes due to the fact that there are no alternate routes between the departure and destination route. Among the main challenges faced by the municipalities are the limited budgets for basic sanitation services, which is why technological strategies and trained human resources are required for better municipal solid waste management. From a technical perspective, geographic information systems are a current trend to model and optimize service routes, with which a better scenario can be proposed. From a social perspective, community participation works as a key factor to carry out activities focused on finding solutions to the problems related to municipal solid waste management.

Solid waste management (SWM) is a major global challenge for environmental sustainability and public health. This study analyzed SWM perceptions and practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Playa Boca Chica, Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero, Mexico, using a descriptive and quantitative approach. Data was collected from 60 households between September and October 2022 and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 26; reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s Alpha; and the generation-associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated using the SWM-GHG climate calculator. This study explored socio-environmental dynamics in informal coastal settlements through a case study in the Global South. The results showed that waste generation remained stable during the pandemic (3.25 kg/day; p = 0.116), suggesting a pattern of behavioral rigidity in which entrenched waste management practices persisted despite the global health crisis, likely due to the absence of structural environmental interventions and policy-driven behavioral incentives. The climate calculator estimated GHG emissions of 92 and 99 tons of CO₂-eq/year before and during the pandemic, respectively. Residents highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, recycling, and composting, while 97% emphasized environmental education and waste separation. The absence of a local waste management policy contributes to persistent emissions, underscoring the need for integrated and sustainable SWM strategies.

El municipio de Coyuca de Benítez, del estado de Guerrero, México, es un territorio compuesto por 132 localidades rurales, con una gran riqueza en recursos naturales y variedad de ecosistemas, como bosque de manglar y selva baja caducifolia. Además, cuenta con importantes cuerpos de agua como las lagunas de Coyuca y Mitla, los afluentes principales del río de Coyuca y diversas microcuencas hidrográficas que riegan el municipio (Programa de Desarrollo Municipal Coyuca [PDMC] 2021). Estos recursos se han visto afectados por falta de cultura ambiental y un mal manejo de desechos, derivado de la deficiencia en infraestructura, drenaje y servicios de recolección de residuos, lo que ha puesto en riesgo la salud socioambiental (Becerril, 2019; Rosas et al., 2014). A través de la Recomendación 47/2018, la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDH), manifestó la urgencia de atender esta problemática, incitando a los actores responsables a promover acciones para mitigar la contaminación (CNDH, 2018).

Microplastic pollution is a global environmental problem of anthropogenic origin that affects marine and coastal ecosystems. Microplastics are considered emerging pollutants of great concern. Worldwide, annual plastic production amounts to 280 million tons, and a significant fraction ends up in aquatic ecosystems. Plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm are distributed in the environment through various routes, including rainwater runoff, maritime activities, and wastewater discharges. As a result of their persistence and transportability, these pollutants have toxicological effects on numerous marine species, including birds, mammals, and turtles. In this context, this chapter analyzes the main sources, distribution, ecological impact, and mitigation strategies to prevent microplastic pollution in marine environments.