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Plastic Materials and Resins Chile Government Influence Issues

Chile Plastic Packaging

Chile’s Plastics Goals Create Opportunities 

According to Chilean Plastics Pact (Pacto Chileno del Plástico), approximately 990,000 tons of plastic are consumed per year in Chile, of which only 83,679 tons (8.5%) are recycled. The environmental problem posed by plastic waste is being faced in Chile and around the world. Chilean President Boric has set a clear agenda for his Administration – protect the environment while promoting sustainable, inclusive economic opportunity and growth.

“Chilean Plastics Pact” (Pacto Chileno de los Plásticos), is an endeavor led by the Ministry of the Environment (Ministerio del Medio Ambiente) and Fundación Chile which aims to rethink the way plastic is produced, used, and disposed of to reduce environmental contamination. The members of the Pact, which includes major international companies such as Coca-Cola, envision a ‘Circular Plastic Economy’ by 2025, and they have established a roadmap to provide concrete guidelines to help all actors involved in the plastics value chain the opportunity to support this initiative.

The four goals are:

  • Eliminate single-use plastic containers: Taking action to eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging and utensils through redesign and innovation.
  • Design sustainable packaging: 100% of the plastic packaging must be designed to be recycled, reusable or compostable.
  • Increase plastics recycling: 1 out of 3 household and non-domiciliary plastic packaging must be effectively recycled, reused, or composted.
  • Increase usage of recycled materials: Plastic containers and packaging must have, among their different formats, an average of 25% recycled material.

Opportunities exist for U.S. companies in different aspects: technology to support the recycling of plastic packaging, compostable plastic packaging, or the sale of materials that can be used instead of plastic.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Chile can help you find the projects within your company’s area of focus that may be a good fit for your company. For more information contact the U.S. Commercial Service Chile at: office.santiago@trade.gov.

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