Policy framework
National Action Plan
– National Marine Litter and Microplastics Management Strategy
– Brief description:
The general objective of this strategy is to articulate the national public policy around the management of marine litter and microplastics, providing national guidelines to focus the management, promote coordination and coherence of the actions of the different sectors with competence. In order to reduce, recover and prevent the entry of waste into aquatic ecosystems and its impacts. In addition, this strategy considers an action plan for the period 2020-2030.
The specific objectives are:
1. Identify the stakeholders that directly and indirectly generate waste from terrestrial and marine sources.
2. Establish and apply voluntary and mandatory environmental management instruments to prevent the generation of marine debris at its source and reduce its impacts.
3. Encourage research and innovation for the development and refinement of new methodologies and solutions for monitoring, prevention, reuse and recovery of marine debris.
4. Build capacity and knowledge among stakeholders involved in the generation and management of marine debris.
5. Encourage the participation of the private sector to promote investment, trade and market creation in industries and activities that allow the prevention and proper management of marine debris.
6. Promote international cooperation, the exchange of information at a regional and global level, and technical assistance to make progress toward reducing marine debris and its impacts.
Legal framework
Since 2016 Chile has an Extended Producer Responsibility Law (EPR). In Mars of this year, the regulation on EPR for packaging was adopted. Additionally, a law which prohibits the delivery of plastic bags by commerce was adopted in 2018, while a law which regulates single used plastics has been adopted this year.
Since 2021 Chile has a Supreme Decree No. 64/2020, which establishes conditions on the treatment and final disposal of waste from aquaculture activities and which, for example, prohibits the use of expanded polystyrene as a flotation element.
In addition, there is Chilean Plastics Pact, the Chilean Plastics Pact (PCP) led by Fundación Chile and the Ministry of Environment was signed in April 2019, with the purpose of rethinking the future of plastics by bringing together all actors in the value chain such as companies, public sphere and NGOs. The initiative is part of the Plastics Pact Global Network launched in 2018 by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in the United Kingdom.
Indicators
The targets on recovery of plastic packaging by EPR regulation consider a progress from 3 to 45% in 12 years on household packaging and from 15 to 55% for non-household packaging.
Prohibition on the use of plastic bags in commerce from February 2019, with exception of micro, small and medium scale companies, for which the prohibition entered into force in August 2020.
Regarding the regulation on EPR for packaging, the project includes these targets:
Measures
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Measures |
Achievements |
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Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation |
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Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws) |
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– a law which prohibits the delivery of plastic bags by commerce – a law which regulates single used plastics – regulation on EPR for packaging Targeted products: – Plastic bags – Single used plastics – Plastic packaging and containers Brief description: Chile has implemented several plans, policies and programs to prevent the generation of plastic waste and to increase its recycling, including campaigns to prevent the use of single used plastics |
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We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Numerical data if any: In the first year of the plastic bag ban implemented in 2018, the Ministry of the Environment estimates that 2.2 billion plastic fewer bags were given to customers than in the previous year. |
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Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design |
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National Roadmap to the Circular Economy Brief description: This year Chile has adopted a National Roadmap to the Circular Economy 2020-2040, which serves as the basis for promoting a transition towards the “Circular Chile” of the future through 4 lines of action: Innovation, regulation, culture and territories . |
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Measures |
Achievements |
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Environmentally sound waste management |
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Enforcement of proper waste management system |
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Organic Law of The Environmental Superintendence Brief description: This institution has a regulatory role in compliance control and enforcement, and is responsible for executing, organising and co-ordinating compliance among all RCAs and other types of environmental permits. The Superintendence currently acts in coordination with other sector-specific state entities, by ordering them to execute specific inspections on its behalf, or receive information that is considered environmentally relevant. Any breaches that are within the Superintendence’s jurisdiction can be sanctioned by one or more of the following, depending on whether the breach is categorised as minor, major or severe: – A written reprimand. – A fine, ranging from US$972 to US$9.7million). – Temporary or permanent shut down. – Revocation of the RCA. |
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We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean |
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– Construction of facilities to receive separated waste from the community and for the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. Brief description: These facilities contribute to improving waste management and preventing littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean and aquatic ecosystem |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Please check: https://rechile.mma.gob.cl/donde-reciclar/ |
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Measures |
Achievements |
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Cleanup of marine plastic litter |
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Collection of scattered waste on beach |
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– National Beach Cleaning Program. Brief description: Through this program, marine debris are removed from the sea, beaches and lakes. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Measures |
Achievements |
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Promotion of innovative solutions |
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Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed loop recycling and so on’) |
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Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the control of marine debris Brief description: The Ministry of the Environment is promoting the use of Artificial Intelligence for the detection, control and monitoring of marine debris. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Measures |
Achievements |
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Education and awareness raising |
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Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues |
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The National Marine Litter and Microplastics Management Strategy considers as one of its main lines of action Strengthening environmental education and national capacities to prevent the generation of MR. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL |
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National level: – Communication campaigns on social media on marine litter Brief description: Chile has developed several initiatives to involve stakeholder participation and information exchange regarding marine debris. Some of these activities are: – Communication campaigns. – Workshops and webinars on marine debris, with a strong focus on prevention. |
National level: We see a positive improvement from last two years |
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Achievements |
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Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter |
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Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics |
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Chile has sponsored various scientific activities (international workshops, scientific projects, etc.) to develop research on marine debris and its impacts on the environment, fishing, aquaculture and tourism. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
Challenges
Check the challenges that your country has faced:
Recycling system improvement
Data collection related to marine plastic litter
Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
Lack of financial incentives for technology development
Best practices
National level
Chile has developed several initiatives to involve stakeholder participation and information exchange regarding marine debris. Some of these activities are:
– Communication campaigns.
– Workshops and webinars on marine debris, with a strong focus on prevention.
– Dissemination of international research on the subject (UNEP, OECD, etc.)
– Coordination between public agencies including the Ministry of Environment and the Chilean Navy.
Private sector
The Chilean fishing industry has signed a Clean Production Agreement (APL) “Sustainable Management of Solid Waste Assimilable to Households in Industrial Fishing Vessels”. The purpose of which is to promote the reuse, recycling and recovery of assimilable domestic waste, especially plastics, generated by industrial fishing vessels.
International cooperation
Chile actively participates in international initiatives whose purpose it is to develop mechanisms to control and prevent marine litter. These include:
– Ocean and Fisheries Working Group, APEC.
– Ad Hoc Open-Ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastic
– Scientific Advisory Committee on Marine Litter and Microplastic
– Plastic Waste Partnership of the Basel Convention
– Latin America Group on Marine Litter and Microplastic
– New York group of friends to combat marine plastic pollution
– Nairobi group of friends to combat marine plastic pollution
Contact details
Mr. Cristian Brito M, cbrito@mma.gob.cl