PSRA and R3vira partner to double polystyrene collection in Mexico City, strengthening recycling infrastructure, local jobs, and circular economy outcomes.
A new strategic partnership has been announced to significantly strengthen and expand polystyrene recycling efforts in Mexico City, marking an important step toward building a more inclusive and scalable circular economy for polystyrene across North America. The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA), a North American coalition focused on advancing practical and scalable recycling solutions for polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), has entered into a collaboration with R3vira, a Mexico City–based organization known for its community-centered approach to material recovery throughout Latin America’s largest metropolitan region.
This collaboration directly supports PSRA’s broader mission of enabling effective circularity for polystyrene by investing in proven collection, processing, and end-market systems. The initiative highlights that polystyrene, often viewed as difficult to recycle, can be successfully recovered, recycled, and reintroduced into the value chain when the right infrastructure and market demand are in place. By aligning industry expertise with local innovation, the partnership demonstrates how circular economy principles can be translated into real-world impact.
A key focus of the collaboration is the expansion of R3vira’s innovative “peque-ruta” or micro-route collection model. This system is designed to operate at a neighborhood level, creating efficient and accessible pathways for collecting polystyrene waste. With PSRA’s support, R3vira will double the number of active micro-routes from 12 to 24 by 2026. This expansion is expected to substantially increase the recovery and recycling of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), materials commonly used in packaging and consumer products.
Justin Riney, Chair of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance, emphasized that expanding access to recycling infrastructure is essential for achieving true circularity. He noted that the partnership with R3vira reflects PSRA’s commitment to practical, infrastructure-driven solutions that are tailored to the needs of local communities. By combining innovative, community-based collection systems with strong and reliable end markets, the initiative illustrates how polystyrene can be transformed from waste into a valuable resource that re-enters the marketplace.
PSRA’s investment will be directed toward critical infrastructure upgrades that are necessary to scale recycling operations across Mexico City. These enhancements include the installation of densification equipment to improve material handling efficiency, the expansion of warehouse facilities to accommodate higher volumes of recovered material, and workforce development programs across all 16 boroughs of the city. Mexico City, the largest city in North America, presents both challenges and opportunities for recycling, making these targeted investments particularly impactful.
Recovered polystyrene collected through R3vira’s network will be processed through an established closed-loop system in partnership with Resirene. This process will convert the material into FDA-approved recycled polystyrene resin, which can then be directly reintegrated into new packaging applications. This closed-loop approach ensures that recycled material meets high quality and safety standards while reducing reliance on virgin resources.
Martha Melesio, Founder and Director of R3vira, highlighted that the collaboration with PSRA builds upon more than five years of work developing effective collection systems in Mexico City. With the alliance’s support, R3vira will be able to increase recovery volumes, strengthen dependable end-market connections, and continue generating stable local employment linked to recycling activities. She emphasized that the initiative demonstrates how circular economy solutions can simultaneously deliver environmental benefits and meaningful economic opportunities at the community level.
Overall, this strategic initiative showcases how industry collaboration, targeted financial investment, and strong end-market demand can accelerate polystyrene circularity. By scaling proven recycling models and reinforcing the value of recycled polystyrene, the partnership sets an example for how modern circular economy systems can be built across North America and beyond.
