Kanasin Landfill Violates 83% of Environmental Measures, Profepa Says

Merida, Yucatan — The Kanasin landfill continues operating under partial closure after Mexico’s Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) confirmed that the responsible company has only complied with 17% of required measures, meaning 83% of corrective actions remain unfulfilled.

According to Profepa, the total temporary closure imposed in 2025 was modified on April 27 to a partial closure, allowing waste intake at up to 50% of previous volumes due to partial compliance with some urgent measures.

However, Profepa warned that the site has not been regularized, as critical failures persist, including the lack of a complete system for capturing, conducting, and recirculating leachate. This poses a risk of soil and aquifer contamination, especially in a highly vulnerable karst region.

Environmental Risks Persist

During inspections conducted in 2025, authorities detected violations of the official Mexican standard NOM-083-SEMARNAT-2003, including deficiencies in leachate management, absence of adequate biogas systems, and lack of basic infrastructure. These issues could lead to leaks, methane accumulation, and risks of explosion or fire.

Of the 27 measures imposed — four urgent and 23 corrective — only a few have been partially addressed, while the majority remain pending, including technical studies, environmental monitoring, and remediation programs.

Profepa stated that the partial closure will remain in effect until the leachate management system is fully implemented, considered essential for safe operation, especially with the rainy season approaching.

The agency said it will continue periodic verification visits to assess progress and determine whether the safety measure should be lifted.