This page is part of the report Pushing the Boundaries of EPR Policy for Textiles, where we explore a common approach across national EPR systems to maximize alignment and effectiveness. Additionally, we highlight the many benefits EPR can offer beyond downstream waste management. For more insights, explore the full paper.
EPR Status
EPR Status: Under development – intention to establish EPR for textiles under existing EPR Law
Other EPR schemes
Established EPR schemes: packaging and packing materials, tyres
Regulatory process for EPR scheme in progress: Lubricating oils, electrical and electronic products (EEE), batteries
Separate collection & sorting of discarded textiles
Separate collection rate
There is currently no formal separate collection of textiles at the municipal level in Chile. Waste (including from textiles) is mainly disposed of in landfills and formal dumps, in accordance with current regulations. However, there are several emerging voluntary initiatives primarily driven by retail campaigns and entrepreneurial efforts.
Sorting capacity for imported used textiles
Used textiles imported to Chile usually arrive in unsorted bales, and enter the country through three ports: Iquique Free Trade Zone (ZOFRI), San Antonio, and Talcahuano. Manual sorting activities occur within these port zones. Often, the first step involves sorting by formally established businesses, sorting clothing bales into three quality grades. This is followed by a more informal chain of further sorting operations.
Destinations of used textiles imported into Chile
Volume of used textiles imports into Chile (2021): 126kT
Reusable textiles - imported into the Iquique Free Trade Zone (ZOFRI) only
Reusable textiles re-exported internationally (Relative to the quantity of textiles considered reusable after sorting): 5%
Reusable textiles sold on the national market (Relative to the quantity of textiles considered reusable after sorting): 21%
Reusable textiles that remain in the port area and may end up resold by local merchants or wasted (Relative to the quantity of textiles considered reusable after sorting): 73%
Non-reusable and waste textiles - imported into Chile
Recycling and downcycling (Relative to the quantity of used textiles imported into Chile): Downcycling: 2%
Landfill and incineration: There is insufficient infrastructure in Chile for the controlled landfill and/or incineration of unwanted used textiles resulting in large volumes of used clothing ending up in dumps in the desert.
EPR for textiles in Chile
The Extended Producer Responsibility Law was implemented in Chile in 2016 and currently covers six product categories. Plans are underway to add textiles to the product scope. “We plan to begin the regulatory process for EPR for textiles in 2025, with the aim to have targets in place for 2029,” explains Tomás Saieg, Chief, Circular EconomyCircular EconomyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. Office at the Chilean Ministry of Environment.
Chilean policymakers acknowledge the benefits EPR policy can offer. Speaking of the opportunity, Saieg says: “in addition to the traditional focus of EPR on improved waste management through separate collection and sorting, we believe a key benefit is to drive reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. activities in Chile, by including tailors and small upcycling firms as EPR fund recipients. For the non-reusable textiles, we believe EPR should enable the development of a recycling industry in the country, ultimately reducing the pressure on our landfills.” This pressure has been increasing. Recent reports have described the emergence of clandestine landfills and uncontrolled incineration in the North of Chile, citing textile waste (resulting from used textile imports) as a key driver.
"We believe EPR can boost reuse activity across Chile"
Tomás Saieg
Chief, Circular Economy Office at the Chilean Ministry of EnvironmentThe implementation of EPR policy can bring social benefits as well, particularly for informal workers. “As we have already seen in Chile in the packaging sector, EPR can deliver significant social impacts by formalising informal jobs,” explains Saieg. “Currently, informal workers and waste pickers can register and formally take part in the EPR scheme under the 2021 EPR Decree for Packaging. PROs are legally obliged to provide training and financial support to promote the inclusion of informal waste pickers and recyclers, enabling them to access formal work opportunities as collectors and recyclers.”
“We cannot recycle our way out of Chile's high per-capita textile consumption. While EPR may not be the only solution, it is an important part of the broader effort to shift towards a circular economy for textiles.”
Tomás Saieg
Chief, Circular Economy Office at the Chilean Ministry of EnvironmentTowards a circular economy for textiles
While EPR in its conventional form can quickly help to boost recycling and reuse rates, ultimately interventions are needed to slow the flow of textile products placed on the market. “We can’t keep producing the amounts of textiles we are producing and hope to recyclerecycleTransform a product or component into its basic materials or substances and reprocessing them into new materials. our way out of it,” says Saieg. “Chile has a very high consumption of textiles, estimated at 31 kilogrammes per capita, and it is essential to shift this culture to one that is more mindful and more embracing of circular business models. EPR may not be the only appropriate policy for this but in the broader scheme of things, EPR is part of the solution.”
The role of Chile in the used textiles trade
Chile is a net importer of used textiles, and in 2021 was the 10th largest importer, accounting for 3% of global imports. In that year, 61% of Chile’s imports came from just three countries: the USA (44%), China (10%), and Pakistan (8%).
Annual used textile exports (2021): 16kT
Annual used textile imports (2021): 126kT
Download
Pushing the boundaries of EPR policy for textiles: Chile factsheet is available in: English
To quote this factsheet, please use the following reference: Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Pushing the boundaries of EPR policy for textiles: Chile factsheet (2024).
Focus countries
These five focus countries illustrate what EPR policy design could look like in different jurisdictions. They offer a snapshot of each country’s material flows, alongside policymaker perspectives.