Overview
This lecture discusses Chile's groundbreaking legislation banning all single-use food and beverage products, not just plastics, over a three-year period to address plastic pollution and promote a zero-waste economy.
Chile's Single-Use Ban Legislation
- In May 2021, Chile announced a national ban on all single-use products in the food and beverage industry over three years.
- The ban includes not only plastics but also cardboard, poly-coated paper, and other materials.
- The legislation is a global first, extending beyond typical single-use plastic bans.
- Chile previously banned plastic bags in 2019, which led to increased use of disposable paper bags and stockpiling reusable bags.
Waste and Recycling Context
- Chile produces nearly 1 million metric tons of plastic waste annually but recycles only 8.5%.
- By comparison, Europe recycles about 30% of its plastic waste.
- The law is expected to remove about 23,000 metric tons of single-use plastic waste annually.
Core Measures in the Law
- The law targets three areas: eliminating single-use F&B products, certifying plastic products, and regulating disposable plastic bottles.
- Plastic tableware (straws, cutlery, stirrers) will be banned in all eateries six months after the law is enacted.
- Within three years, at least 30% of bottled drinks in supermarkets must use reusable bottles.
- Non-compliance results in fines between 327,000 and 1.3 million Chilean pesos per infraction.
Challenges and Criticisms
- Previous bans sometimes led to unintended environmental consequences, like swapping plastics for other disposables.
- Critics argue bans can disproportionately affect poorer communities and may simply shift the problem to alternative materials.
Industry and Stakeholder Response
- The Chilean Plastics Association participated in drafting the law and ultimately supported its outcome.
- Reusable alternatives are already being adopted in some establishments, such as shopping malls.
- The law introduces requirements for plastic bottles to contain recycled plastic sourced within Chile, though details remain unclear.
Global Perspective
- More than 127 countries have some form of plastic bag ban or tax.
- Effectiveness varies, and plastic production caps are suggested as a more comprehensive solution to reduce pollution.
Environmental Impact
- 75% of waste on Chile's beaches is plastic litter.
- Worldwide, an estimated 12–14 million metric tons of plastics enter the oceans each year.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Single-use products — Items intended for one-time use and disposal, regardless of material.
- Poly-coated paper — Paper treated with a thin plastic layer to make it waterproof.
- Reusable bottles — Containers designed for repeated use, as opposed to being disposed after one use.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Monitor implementation phases of the new law across the next three years.
- Prepare for upcoming bans on specific single-use F&B items in Chile.
- Review current handling of disposable products in your location for sustainability improvements.