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7 clusters · 23 sources · 40 days · First seen · Last updated

South American circular economy initiatives

Overview

South American nations are implementing various circular economy and waste management initiatives across industrial, community, and agricultural sectors. In Paraguay, the Oportunidades Circulares (POC) 2.0 program, supported by the European Union and UNIDO, is working to integrate circularity into industrial strategies. Simultaneously, Bolivia has launched a coprocessing project in Viacha in collaboration with German Cooperation (GIZ) to use non-recyclable waste as alternative fuel for cement production. In Chile, efforts are expanding through community and agricultural programs. The “Pueblo Hundido Circular” project in Monte Patria has secured 14 million pesos from the Ministry of the Environment’s 2025 Recycling Fund to implement vermicomposting, textile recycling workshops, and new waste classification containers. In the Maule region, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to partner with Campo Limpio to recycle empty agrochemical containers. Chilean efforts have also expanded to include innovation recognition via the Circular Awards 2026 and industrial support through the Construction Circular Economy Network (Red ECC). Educational initiatives have also emerged, such as a school vermicomposting system at Liceo Alcalde Sergio González Gutiérrez in Pozo Almonte, which uses organic waste to produce worm humus and liquid fertilizer. To advance these goals, the Ministry of the Environment recently introduced REgenera Chile, a National Circular Economy Agenda. This plan aims to reach a general recycling rate of 40% and double the number of certified base recyclers from 3,500 to 7,000. While the REP Law has expanded management systems to 34 between 2022 and 2025, challenges persist regarding infrastructure for collection and organic waste valorization. Recent technological developments include the CEAZA project in La Serena, which engages businesses like Qamawi and Cervecería Ánima to discuss water efficiency and the use of purifying wetlands as nature-based solutions. In Ecuador, the Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético (IIGE) has presented the PTAR-Biocarbón wastewater treatment system in Manabí.

Entities

Chile · Ministry of the Environment · Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético · Corfo · CEAZA

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Chile targets 40% recycling rate through new circular economy agenda

    Chile has launched the REgenera Chile agenda, aiming for a 40% recycling rate and carbon neutrality by 2050 through improved waste management and circular economy engineering.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
    Regional waste valorization projects focus on biogas and organic fertilizer

    Regional initiatives in Argentina and Chile focus on waste valorization, including sewage sludge conversion into biogas and school-based vermicomposting to produce organic fertilizers.

  3. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Water management and waste valorization technologies advance in Chile and Ecuador

    New technological projects in Chile and Ecuador are advancing circular economy goals through wastewater treatment, purifying wetlands, and the production of biocarbon from organic waste.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile advances circular economy through innovation awards and new financing

    Chile is advancing its circular economy through the Circular Awards 2026, which features over 180 projects, and by providing diverse financing instruments for sustainable innovation and industrial scaling.

  5. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Circular economy efforts focus on education and agro-industrial waste valorization

    Efforts to implement a circular economy focus on environmental education in Chile and the untapped potential of agro-industrial organic waste in Ecuador to create new high-value industries.

  6. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Chile advances circular economy through community and agricultural initiatives

    Chile is implementing circular economy projects, including community waste management in Monte Patria and agricultural recycling initiatives in the Maule region to promote sustainability.

  7. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Paraguay and Bolivia advance circular economy and waste-to-resource initiatives

    Paraguay and Bolivia are implementing circular economy projects, including waste-to-fuel initiatives and industrial programs, to boost competitiveness and sustainability.

Sources

aldiamaule.cauquenesnet.cl · ceaza.cl · chillanonline.cl · diariorancagua.cl · elcalbucano.cl · elespectador.com · expoagro.com.ar · expreso.ec · g5noticias.cl · geoenergia.gob.ec · kijiji.ca · lademajagua.cu · lamegafm.cl · lapatria.bo · latercera.com · mic.gov.py · mundominero.com.ec · noticiasalsur.co · ovallehoy.cl · paiscircular.cl · radiopolar.com · realidadsm.com · temucotelevision.cl

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history