Brian Barton
Chile is an international leader in ocean conservation and the sustainable use of its resources. The country has implemented several initiatives to reduce marine pollution and protect its coastal habitats. However, Chile still faces challenges, such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and illegal fishing, which threaten its marine ecosystems. In recent years, Chile has taken significant steps to address these issues, including partnering with organizations like Ocean Conservancy and Bureo to combat ocean plastic pollution and promote sustainable fishing practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine debris | The most polluted regions are Antofagasta and Tarapacá (in the extreme north) and Aysén and Magallanes (in the far south). |
| Marine debris distribution | Marine debris has been reported in Easter Island South Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Chilean Northern Patagonia, Sala y Gomez Islands, and the Juan Fernandez Archipelago. |
| Microplastics | Densities of up to 20,000 items per square kilometer have been found near Easter Island and Sala y Gomez Islands. |
| Single-use plastics | In 2021, Chile enacted a law to reduce single-use plastics, requiring food service establishments to transition to sustainable tableware and product packaging. |
| Net waste | Bureo, a startup, is working to recycle fishing nets and has processed 800 tons of nets annually, with 2 million pounds of recycled raw plastic. |
| Solid municipal waste | Chile produces more solid municipal waste per capita than Mexico and Brazil, and 75% of the waste found on its coastline is plastic. |
| Recycled plastic | Only 8.5% of the plastic Chile uses is recycled, compared to less than 10% of plastic produced in the US each year. |
| Environmental impact | Marine plastic pollution impacts over 800 species of marine life and accumulates in various environments, including Arctic Sea ice and deep ocean trenches. |
| Conservation efforts | Chile is an international leader in ocean conservation and has partnered with organizations like Ocean Conservancy to combat plastic pollution. |
| Sustainable fisheries | Chile is working to promote sustainable seafood practices and conserve marine habitats, such as the Humboldt Current, through initiatives like Shellcatch. |
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What You'll Learn
Chile's plastic pollution crisis
Chile is facing a plastic pollution crisis, threatening its diverse environments, unique biodiversity, and marine habitats. With over 4,000 km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, the country is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution, including marine debris and microplastics.
One of the major contributors to Chile's plastic pollution crisis is fishing, specifically the disposal of discarded fishing nets into the ocean. In coastal fishing villages like Tumbes, fishing nets used to be dumped directly into the sea, contributing to the massive plastic pollution problem. To address this issue, startups like Bureo have emerged, collaborating with fishermen to collect and recycle discarded nets. The Bureo facility in Concepción processes 800 tonnes of nets annually, producing 2 million pounds of recycled raw plastic.
Chile's government has also taken steps to address the plastic pollution crisis. In 2018, the government passed a law banning single-use plastic bags, and in 2021, enacted a law to reduce single-use plastics in restaurants, bars, cafes, and other food service establishments. This law also mandates the use of refillable bottles for soft drinks in supermarkets and stores. Chile is an international leader in ocean conservation and sustainable resource use, hosting conferences and partnering with organizations like Ocean Conservancy to combat plastic pollution.
Despite these efforts, plastic pollution remains a significant issue in Chile. Seventy-five percent of the waste found on Chile's coastline is plastic, and only 8.5% of the plastic used in the country is recycled. Microplastics, in particular, have been widely distributed in different environments, impacting marine life and contributing to pollution. Chile is actively conducting research on microplastic pollution and working to promote sustainable seafood and conserve marine habitats.
Overall, Chile is facing a plastic pollution crisis that threatens its diverse environments and unique biodiversity. While efforts are being made to address the issue, such as recycling initiatives and government policies, more needs to be done to reduce plastic pollution and protect Chile's vulnerable marine ecosystems.
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Chile's discarded fishing nets
Fishing nets are heavy and cumbersome, and they pose a serious threat to land and marine life. According to a United Nations report, nets account for 10% of the ocean's plastic pollution. They choke land mammals and pollute sea beds and beaches, causing environmental damage that can be catastrophic.
Recognising the problem, a Chilean startup called Bureo has stepped up to address the issue. Founded by three North American surfers, Bureo collaborates with fishermen to keep hundreds of tonnes of discarded nets out of the ocean each year. The company collects and processes the nets, turning them into recycled raw plastic. The process involves sorting, cleaning, shredding, and packing the nets at their facilities.
Bureo's efforts have made a significant impact in Chile. Their Concepción facility alone processes 800 tonnes of nets annually, producing 2 million pounds of recycled raw plastic. The company has also expanded its operations to Peru and Argentina and has entered an agreement with Chile's National Commercial Fishing Industry Association. Through these efforts, Bureo is on track to recycle 100% of the country's wild-caught net waste.
In addition to its environmental impact, Bureo also provides economic incentives for recycling. They compensate artisanal fishermen for their collaboration, and industrial vessels can earn environmental certifications by participating. The recycled materials are then used to create durable goods, such as hats, jackets, and skateboards, with companies like Patagonia and Adidas utilising these recycled materials.
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Chile's new law to reduce single-use plastics
Chile has long struggled with plastic pollution, with ocean plastic choking its shores and 75% of the waste found on its coastline being plastic. In 2009, a report found that the regions of Antofagasta and Tarapacá in the extreme north, and Aysén and Magallanes in the far south, were the most polluted. More recent studies have also reported marine debris in Easter Island and Chilean Northern Patagonia. In response to this growing problem, Chile has enacted a number of laws and initiatives to reduce single-use plastics and protect its oceans.
One of the most significant measures is the Single-Use Plastics Law, enacted in August 2021. This law imposes restrictions on the use of disposable plastics in food establishments, such as restaurants, cafterias, and delivery services. It prohibits the use of single-use plastic products, such as plastic cups, straws, takeout containers, and cutlery, and requires these businesses to transition to reusable or compostable alternatives. The law also requires supermarkets and stores that sell soft drinks to offer these beverages in refillable bottles instead of single-use containers. It is expected to reduce plastic waste generation by 23,000 tons per year and drive a cultural change towards responsible consumption and a circular economy.
In addition to the Single-Use Plastics Law, Chile has also implemented other initiatives to reduce plastic pollution. For example, a startup called Bureo is working with fishermen to keep discarded nets out of the ocean, processing 800 tons of nets annually and turning them into recycled raw plastic. Chile has also banned single-use plastic bags and is encouraging the use of reusable bags. These measures position Chile as a leader in environmental protection in Latin America and set a high standard for plastics policies globally.
While Chile has made significant progress in reducing single-use plastics, there are still challenges to be addressed. One key challenge is citizen education and awareness, as many people are unaware of the scope of the regulations or do not have adequate access to recycling systems. Additionally, curbing global plastic production may prove difficult, especially with the likely surge in cheap new plastics resulting from falling oil prices. However, Chile's efforts to reduce single-use plastics are a step in the right direction and provide a model for other countries to follow.
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Chile's ocean conservation efforts
Chile has been taking significant steps to address ocean pollution and conserve its marine environments. With over 4,000 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, the country is vulnerable to the impacts of human activity and climate change.
One of the primary challenges Chile faces is the depletion of fish stocks due to overfishing and illegal operations in its waters. To address this issue, the Chilean government and conservation groups have been working to implement sustainable fishing practices and protect critical marine habitats. The Nature Conservancy, for instance, has been collaborating with fishing communities in southern Chile to promote sustainable seafood and secure livelihoods while conserving marine habitats.
In 2018, the Chilean government demonstrated its commitment to ocean conservation by establishing protections for nearly 450,000 square miles of water, spread across three new marine parks. The largest of these protected areas is the Rapa Nui Marine Protected Area (MPA), where industrial fishing and mining are prohibited to allow for the recovery of marine life.
Chile has also been tackling plastic pollution, which has been a significant issue for the country. Seventy-five percent of the waste found on Chile's coastline is plastic, and plastic debris has been found in marine environments, particularly in the north and south of the country. To address this, the government enacted a law in 2021 to reduce single-use plastics, requiring food service establishments to eliminate single-use plastic and transition to more sustainable alternatives. This law is expected to eliminate 23,000 tons of single-use plastic pollution annually. Additionally, startups like Bureo are collaborating with fishermen to keep discarded nets out of the ocean, processing hundreds of tons of nets annually and promoting the use of recycled materials.
Furthermore, the Chilean government has taken steps to improve the management of its protected areas. It created a new agency, the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP), to oversee the country's biodiversity and conservation areas. This move is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of conservation efforts and increase funding for protected areas.
Overall, Chile is making notable strides in ocean conservation, from protecting vast swaths of ocean to addressing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable fishing practices. These efforts position the country as a global leader in marine conservation and set a positive example for other nations.
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$28.55
Chile's marine conservation leadership
Chile has been recognised for its leadership in marine conservation. In 2018, the country's President, Michelle Bachelet, signed into law protections for nearly 450,000 square miles of water—an area roughly the size of Texas, California, and West Virginia combined. This action was described by Emily Owen of the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project as positioning Chile as a "global leader in ocean protection and conservation".
The new protections were split into three regions, encompassing diverse marine environments, from fish spawning grounds to the migratory paths of humpback whales and the nesting grounds of seabirds. The largest of these regions is the Rapa Nui Marine Protected Area (MPA), where industrial fishing and mining are prohibited, but traditional fishing is still allowed. The other two regions are the Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park, which covers 115,000 square miles of ocean, and Moto Motiru Hiva/Sala y Gomez.
Chile has also taken steps to address plastic pollution, which has been a significant issue along its more than 4,000 km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. In 2021, the Chilean government enacted a law to reduce single-use plastics, requiring restaurants, bars, cafes, and other food service establishments to transition to more sustainable tableware and product packaging. This law is expected to eliminate an estimated 23,000 tons of single-use plastic pollution each year. In addition, Chile has been working with the conservation NGO Oceana to increase the transparency of commercial fishing and improve the surveillance of its marine protected areas.
Furthermore, Chile is taking action to promote sustainable fishing practices and conserve marine habitats. The Nature Conservancy is working with fishing communities in southern Chile to implement sustainable fishing practices and protect critical marine habitats and fish stocks. Chile's artisanal fishers, who bring in more catch than industrial fleets, are key partners in these efforts, with some even donating their fishing grounds to conservation initiatives.
Overall, Chile's efforts to protect and conserve its marine environments serve as a powerful example of a nation taking bold action to address the urgent threats facing the global ocean.
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Frequently asked questions
Chile produces more solid municipal waste per capita than Mexico and Brazil, despite both countries having much larger economies.
Fishing nets account for 10% of ocean plastics globally. In Chile, most discarded fishing nets were dumped into the sea until recently, when startups like Bureo began recycling them.
Chile has implemented several measures to combat ocean plastic pollution, including passing a law to reduce single-use plastics, partnering with organisations like Ocean Conservancy, and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Chile's efforts have been successful, with approximately 171,000 kg of trash prevented from entering the ocean in 2018 through the work of the ICC coordinator DIRECTEMAR and volunteers. Bureo, a startup, has recycled 2 million pounds of raw plastic from fishing nets.
Some challenges include illegal fishing, restricted market access for sustainable fisheries, and the need for greater investment in trash collection systems and recycling initiatives.
