Chile
One of the key initiatives in Chile’s environmental framework is the Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) system, established under Law N° 20.920 in 2016. REP places legal responsibility on producers for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the collection, recycling, and final disposal of waste. The system aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, encourage recycling, and support a circular economy. Initially, REP applies to product categories with significant environmental impact, such as packaging, electronic and electrical products, batteries, tires, and lubricants.
The REP framework is based on several principles, including the polluter pays principle, traceability of products throughout the waste management chain, and the inclusion of informal waste collectors in formal recycling systems. The Ministry of Environment oversees the program, while certified waste management companies and municipalities implement collection and recycling initiatives.
Legal basis
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Legal Basis:
Chile’s Ley N° 20.920, enacted in 2016, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for waste management, promoting recycling and the circular economy through the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This law mandates that producers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including waste management after the product’s end-of-life.
Key Legal Instruments:
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Primary Law (Ley N° 20.920): Defines the overarching principles and obligations for producers regarding waste management.
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Supreme Decrees: Specific regulations issued by the Ministry of the Environment that detail targets and obligations for various product categories.
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Recycling Fund: A financial mechanism to support recycling projects, particularly those initiated by municipalities and associations.
Legal Principles:
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Polluter Pays Principle: Producers are financially responsible for the waste generated by their products.
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Gradual Implementation: Obligations are phased in progressively to allow adaptation.
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Inclusion: Integrates informal waste collectors into formal waste management systems.
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Transparency and Traceability: Ensures clear reporting and monitoring of waste management activities.
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Protection of Free Competition: Maintains competitive markets while implementing waste management strategies.
Implementation and Enforcement:
The Ministry of the Environment oversees the implementation, while the Superintendence of the Environment is responsible for enforcement, including inspections and sanctions
Facts and figures
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Chile has around 19.8 million inhabitants spread over a territory of roughly 756,000 km², which gives a population density of about 26 people per km². As of 2023–2024, its nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hovered near US$ 330–335 billion, placing Chile among the ~ 45th–50th largest economies globally. On a per-person basis, GDP per capita has recently been around US$ 14,000–15,000.
On the environmental policy side, the EPR law has become a key pillar of Chile’s push toward sustainability: since the enactment of the EPR Law in 2016, producers and importers are legally responsible for the waste generated by their products at end-of-life. The reform aims to encourage reduction, reuse and recycling of packaging and other consumer goods — making Chile a regional leader in circular-economy efforts.
Packaging organisation/s in Chile:
