Chile targets indiscriminate single-use of plastics

Since February 13, 2022, single-use plastics products have faced a ban in Chile. Law 21.368 was published in August 2021 and aims to fight back the indiscriminate use of single-use plastics in different forms.

The single-use plastic restriction is only the start of an increasing effort to promote recycling and drive the country towards Circular Economy concepts. The recently published legislation also limits the generation of related disposable products, regulates plastics, and impose additional rules that will progressively enter into force.

In this respect, food retail establishments are forbidden to use and distribute single-use use products, such as glasses, cups, cutlery, chopsticks, stirs, mugs, straws, plates, goblets, boxes or food containers with foodstuff, trays, and sachets to be used in the business.

When consumers request a "to-go" meal, disposable products must be made of materials other than plastics, or be certified plastics in accordance with the Ministry of Environment certification guideline. The Ministry has 18 months to announce the regulation.

Beverage merchants must comply with a minimum percentage of recycled material when referring to the composition of plastic bottles, as well as offering returnable bottles scheme to consumers. The minimum recycled plastic content in bottles is to be successively implemented, not being less than 15% in 2025; 25% in 2030; 50% in 2040; 60% in 2050; and reaching 70% in 2060. In addition, manufacturers and importers are in charge of implementing awareness programs to promote recycling and the ecological impacts it may cause.

Any business that does not comply with the provisions is subjected to fines.