PCI: Progreso Circular e Innovación

Problem:

Chile faces inadequate solid waste management, with only 10% of waste recycled and most ending up in landfills or handled unsustainably through burning or open dumping. Structural and social factors, like a lack of infrastructure for waste separation, hinder recycling and keep public awareness low. Poor waste management threatens the environment and public health, risking groundwater contamination, wasting recyclable materials, and emitting pollutants that worsen air quality and diminish quality

Idea:

The project promotes a circular economy in community waste management, focusing on source separation and reuse. Residents sort waste for collection by recycling companies, reducing landfill use. This approach lowers management costs, funds educational campaigns per Chile's Law 19.300, and strengthens partnerships with councils, schools, and businesses. A focus on organic waste cuts emissions, enhances soil quality, and creates sustainable economic opportunities, supporting the SDGs.

Main Beneficiaries:

The project will directly benefit 236,439 residents in San Joaquín (123,904 people) and Macul (112,535 people). Active community participation will be fostered through local councils, families, and park users, creating a tangible impact in both public and private spaces. This approach aims to drive a long-term cultural shift toward a circular economy, prioritizing environmental education and community collaboration. In the medium term, the goal is to consolidate this model within San Joaquín and Macul before expanding it nationally to other regions with similar needs. Ultimately, the project envisions international expansion, focusing on Latin American countries where waste management systems are underdeveloped. This scaling will generate public goods that foster sustainability and encourage community-driven waste management models, achieving a deeper and more sustainable impact than isolated individual incentives.

Stage:

Execution and validation

SDG:

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

University:

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile