Higher waste output and lack of recycling in Chile - OECD report

The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development OECD has published its second and most recent review of Chile's environmental performance for 2005-2015, providing recommendations for air, waste, and water management in the country.

On water and waste management, the OECD report highlighted an increase of nearly 30% in waste production throughout the 2000s and the lack of a recycling industry in the country.

"Chile has one of the most resource-intensive economies of the OECD ... It suffers from persistently high air pollution in urban and industrial areas, water shortages and pollution, habitat loss and vulnerability to climate change," the OECD stated in an official note on its website.

The report states that 96% of total collected municipal solid waste was deposited in landfills, and only 4% was recovered or recycled in 2010/2011.

However, the report points out that the government does plan to double the number of sanitary landfills by 2020.

With regard to water management, OECD recommendations included:

• Develop a knowledge base on water risks to inform decision making,
• Enhance the role of roundtables to resolve water conflicts, establish "essential" water uses,
• Design and implement water allocation regime,
• Develop strategy to address over-allocation in basins and aquifers,
• Continue expanding coverage of water quality standards.

The OECD report also recommended the adoption of the waste framework law, submitted to congress in 2013, the expansion of producer responsibility schemes, the update and implementation of regulations on hazardous waste management, and further encouragement through incentives for waste prevention, recycling and recovery of products.

The analysis also applauded Chile for positive achievements in water and waste regulation and protection, including the creation of the environmental ministry (MMA) in 2010, the environmental superintendence (SMA), the environmental evaluation service SEA, and the environmental courts.