Central America & Caribbean

Guatemala

Per the 2018 census, 42.8% of households burn their waste and only 41.9% use a collection service. National generation was estimated at about 7,990 t/day (IDB 2014, cited by USAC 2024), and the AMSA landfill takes about 1,800 t/day from 30+ municipalities (2026). Sugar mills have 568 MW of bagasse cogeneration (13% of generation in 2023). No tire-specific regulation was found.

Regulatory framework

The rules that shape the business

Acuerdo Gubernativo 164-2021 (reformado por AG 184-2023) 2021 In force

Reglamento para la Gestión Integral de los Residuos y Desechos Sólidos Comunes

In force since 10 Aug 2021. Requires source separation (organic/inorganic and, since February 2025, organic/recyclable/non-recyclable), municipal plans (PIRDES), transport standards and updated licenses for disposal sites.

View regulation · prensalibre.com

Acuerdo Gubernativo 189-2019 2019 In force según la última fuente consultada

Prohibición de plásticos de un solo uso y duroport

Bans single-use plastic bags, straws, plates, cups and containers and expanded-polystyrene products, with a 2-year phase-in from publication (20 Sep 2019).

View regulation · revistaeyn.com

Decreto 52-2003 2003 In force

Ley de Incentivos para el Desarrollo de Proyectos de Energía Renovable

Exemption from import duties, VAT and consular fees on machinery and equipment during pre-investment and construction (up to 10 years), and income-tax exemption for up to 10 years from commercial operation. MEM qualifies beneficiaries; 163 projects had qualified as of November 2025.

View regulation · agn.gt

Context

The residue, in figures

7.990 t/day

Estimated national waste generation

estimación BID 2014 (citada 2024) · rarn.usac.edu.gt

42,8%

Households that burn their waste

2018 · rarn.usac.edu.gt

~1.800 t/day

Daily waste at AMSA landfill

2026 · prensa-latina.cu

568 MW

Sugar-mill cogeneration capacity (bagasse)

2024 · prensa-latina.cu

163

Projects qualified under Decree 52-2003

nov-2025 · agn.gt

2.756.741

MSW generation (tonnes/year)

c. 2010-2016 (What a Waste 2.0, publ. 2018) · datacatalogfiles.worldbank.org

69,8

MSW sent to open dumps (%)

c. 2010-2016 (What a Waste 2.0, publ. 2018) · datacatalogfiles.worldbank.org

Incentives

Decree 52-2003: up to 10 years of duty and VAT exemption on equipment plus 10 years of income-tax exemption for renewable projects qualified by MEM. The PEG-5 tender (2026) seeks 1,400-1,500 MW of new generation. Carbon markets and free zones: not verified.

Which technology fits Guatemala

Priority feedstock: Agro-forestry biomass and dry MSW fraction for energy; plastics and tires as a secondary line
Why: There is massive household burning and 70% open dumping, and Decree 52-2003 grants 10-year exemptions to renewable projects, with new generation demand (PEG-5). That favors gasifying waste for power. Without tire EPR, pyrolysis would rely on market demand alone.

GAS

Gasification

Syngas for on-site power and heat.

Learn more PYR

Pyrolysis

From end-of-life tires to products with a market.

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Sources consulted

Reference information compiled from public sources as of October 2026. It is not legal advice; confirm each regulation is current before making decisions.

Verification level: Medium

Other countries in the region

Panama Costa Rica Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua Dominican Republic

Projects and proposals

Tell us what residue you have and what you want to obtain.

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