Valparaíso Region faces waste crisis as El Molle landfill nears closure

A regional study identified systemic bottlenecks in waste management across Valparaíso, Chile, highlighting critical streams such as organic waste, packaging, e‑waste and textiles. The diagnosis revealed insufficient intermediate valorisation infrastructure, low source‑separation rates, fragmented information systems, dispersed governance, and under‑developed markets for recycled products.

The findings launched the “Futuros Resilientes” bootcamp, part of an initiative led by Fundación Chile in partnership with Anglo American Foundation, the Chilean Plastics Pact, Talento Verde and TriCiclos. Student teams from local universities will work on challenges defined by public agencies and companies, aiming to build green‑job capacity and advance a circular‑economy model before the 2028 closure of the El Molle landfill, which currently receives 51 % of the region’s waste.

TriCiclos project manager Javiera Maturana stressed that while the region possesses technical expertise and youthful talent, coordinated action is needed to transform isolated innovations into a functional circular system.