The premise “Santiago is not Chile” inspires the new project that seeks to expand the circular economy beyond the Metropolitan Region. In the Valparaíso Region, Fundación Chile and Anglo American Foundation launched “Resilient Futures: Youth transforming the critical waste value chain”, aiming to strengthen the valorization infrastructure and generate green jobs.
The inaugural milestone took place at the Parque Tecnológico ParqTec V21 in Viña del Mar, with the participation of regional authorities, municipalities, guilds, academia, NGOs, and partner companies of the Chilean Plastics Pact.
Initial Diagnosis
The region faces a waste valorization rate of less than 2%, highlighting a structural challenge. Ignacio Santelices, Sustainability Manager at Fundación Chile, emphasized that the program seeks a concrete impact on the value chain, supported by a technical diagnosis conducted with TriCiclos.
Alejandra Kopaitic, Executive Director of the Chilean Plastics Pact, stressed the importance of involving young people as leaders of transformation through a training program executed by Talento Verde.
X-ray of the Value Chain
The first phase of the project consists of an x-ray of the critical waste value chain (CVRC) in the region, developed by TriCiclos. It includes:
- A consolidated database.
- A georeferenced map of key stakeholders.
- A technical report with gaps and opportunities.
Juan Cristóbal Gillmore, Commercial Deputy Manager of TriCiclos, explained that this technical input will strengthen evidence-based decision-making and guide investments towards valorization infrastructure and stakeholder articulation.
Youth as Protagonists
The training program aims to turn young people into leaders of the transition to the circular economy. Manuel Farías, Director of Technical Education at Fundación Chile, stated: “The circular economy needs people prepared to put it into practice. With Resilient Futures, we are developing competencies for green jobs and linking students with concrete job opportunities.”
150 students from six higher education institutions will participate, including the State CFT and AIEP of San Antonio, Inacap, DUOC, the Federico Santa María Technical University, and the Adolfo Ibáñez University.
The program is scheduled to conclude in November 2026, with the delivery of solution proposals, public policy recommendations, and a replicable methodology in other regions.
Regional Challenges
According to the Regional Government of Valparaíso:
- The region generates 884 thousand tons of waste annually, a figure that could increase by 54% by 2035.
- The valorization rate is just 1.54%.
- The El Molle Landfill faces a high operational load.
- Municipalities bear high logistical costs.
- There is a need to strengthen specialized human capital and advance the full implementation of the REP Law.
The Resilient Futures project marks a milestone in the Valparaíso Region by combining technical diagnosis, youth training, and the articulation of public and private actors. The initiative seeks to transform waste management into a driver of green jobs, resilience, and sustainable development, becoming a national reference for the circular economy.
