Street Scavenging in Arroyo Seco: Implications for Transboundary Waste Governance in the Rio Grande Basin

This study examines the role of street scavenging in municipal solid waste (MSW) recovery and its implications for transboundary waste governance in the Rio Grande Basin. Fieldwork was conducted in Arroyo Seco, Monterrey, between May and December 2022, using qualitative methods, including covert observation of 49 scavengers, a case study, ethnographic analysis, and the Circularity Assessment Protocol for waste traceability. Findings show that, despite being 200 km from the U.S.-Mexico border, Arroyo Seco connects hydrologically to the La Silla, Santa Catarina, and San Juan rivers in Region RH2, which may contribute to transboundary pollution. While scavengers operate informally and focus on recyclable materials of market value, their practices constitute underutilized social capital. The research highlights the need to align binational waste governance strategies and strengthen environmental justice frameworks to support inclusive recycling practices. It contributes to the broader understanding of waste governance in urban and borderland settings. © 2025 Association for Borderlands Studies.