Recycling program of inorganic fraction of municipal waste applied to Nuñoa community, Chile

Abstract

This study reports the experience of waste valorization developed in the Ñuñoa Commune, in Santiago de Chile. The general objective is providing information on the Ñuñoa Program for Recycling (PROREÑU) the Inorganic Fraction of Municipal Waste and reporting the progress during its period of operation (2003 to 2007). The hypothesis proposed advocates that it is possible to implement a material valorization Program through the recycling of the inorganic fraction of municipal wastes in a Latin American country as Chile, and obtain positive social and environmental results, within the current legislative, environmental and cultural scenario. The work methodology includes two main sub-themes: Program Design and Citizen Participation Processes, in which explanatory images and tables are shown. The Program Design is comprised of three major points: Work Team, Selective Collection Model and Ecopark. The main stages and activities developed during these 4 years of operation are also detailed. The results obtained from the evaluation of the recycling Program are positive in relation to the levels of selective collection and citizen participation. Based on these findings, the hypothesis formulated is sustained and it is shown that if a recycling Program is well designed and takes into consideration the characteristics of the site, the existing collection of wastes and above all, the active involvement of the community, the expected results will be achieved. It is essential, however, to rely on political persuasion. The Commune underwent significant changes in its way of thinking and addressing the daily management of their wastes. Thanks to PROREÑU, the Ñuñoa community took progressive steps to maintain a clean Commune, to contribute to environmental preservation, and to set a national example of integral waste management.