Puerto Varas Council rejects La Laja landfill expansion contract

The Puerto Varas Municipal Council has rejected the contract award for the construction of Alvéolo 3 and the management of the La Laja Sanitary Landfill. The vote resulted in three in favor, two against, and one abstention, failing to reach the five votes required for approval.

The project, awarded to Consorcio Santa Marta following technical and economic evaluations, is considered critical for the province. The La Laja landfill serves nine communes, including Calbuco, Puerto Montt, and Puerto Varas. Current capacity is a major concern, as Alvéolo 2 reached 88.87% occupancy by June.

Without the new construction, which typically takes eight months, the facility risks being unable to receive further waste by August of next year. While the current operator, Interaseo, maintains service until August 2027, the lack of new disposal space remains a significant regional challenge.