During the first week of December 2023, the sustainability and circular economy team of the Eurochile Business Foundation, as part of the implementation of the Strengthening Recycling and Circular Economy programme of the Regional Government of Los Lagos, was present in the province of Osorno conducting workshops aimed at collectors and local residents where they had the opportunity to learn about the optimisation of resources through European experiences.

In this context, on 05 and 06 December in the communes of Puyehue and Lago Rupanco, various activities were carried out, including workshops such as “Co-creating synergies for a circular management of waste from businesses and households”, given by the Spanish expert Ferran Climent. In addition, visits were made to waste collectors and a clean-up day on the Rupanco Lake road, in collaboration with the Islote Rupanco School, which is actively engaged in promoting environmental education.

Maud Breyne, project manager at the Eurochile Business Foundation, points out that, “Children play a key role in changing the mentality of their families and environment. This change is materialised through the creation of a clean point in the school, the implementation of activities such as lumbering and a nursery. Participation in clean-up days highlights the commitment, where the community, together with external support, play a crucial role in waste recovery, with the children being the protagonists in these initiatives“.

In addition, the participation of the Spanish expert was fundamental in the workshops, as he was able to share his experience and European perspective on waste management, helping to gather information and highlight key issues. This knowledge will be used to develop local implementation plans to improve waste management capacity in each area, leaving an action plan for local benefit.

In relation to that, Breyne highlights the motivation on the part of the attendees to learn about these issues and the resources available in each of the areas. “Based on these elements, we used the community resources as a basis for the creation of the implementation plan that our expert is currently designing. This plan is inspired by European success stories, and the initial phase is currently underway“.

In summary, both the collectors and the inhabitants of the province of Osorno show a remarkable willingness to go ahead with the project focusing on recycling and waste management. The aim is to provide them with support and develop an action plan that will raise the level of circularity in the region. This will enable the community to identify and adopt various processes that will lead them towards more sustainable practices.