El inmenso "basurero del mundo" de ropa usada en el desierto de Atacama
BBC News Mundo・2 minutes read
Thousands of tons of used clothing from the US and Europe end up in landfills in Chile, with slow biodegradation of polyester posing environmental and health risks. Efforts to address the textile waste issue in Chile include laws holding importers responsible for waste and limited resources for recycling.
Insights
- The Atacama landscape in Chile receives thousands of tons of discarded clothing from the US and Europe annually, with 85% of unsold items ending up in clandestine landfills, creating environmental and health hazards due to slow polyester biodegradation.
- Textile waste in Chile, fueled by fast fashion, is a significant problem, prompting legislative actions like holding importers accountable for waste and innovative recycling initiatives such as Franklin Zepeda's company repurposing textile waste into insulation panels, highlighting the multifaceted efforts to combat this issue.
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Recent questions
What happens to discarded clothing in Chile?
Discarded clothing ends up in clandestine landfills, posing environmental and health risks due to slow biodegradation.
How does textile waste impact Chile?
Textile waste in Chile is a longstanding issue exacerbated by fast fashion, leading to environmental and health risks.
What are the efforts to address textile waste in Chile?
Efforts include a law holding importers responsible for waste and limited resources for inspection and recycling.
Where do importers get second-hand clothing in Chile?
Importers get second-hand clothing from Zofri and resell them at La Quebradilla fair.
How is textile waste repurposed in Chile?
Textile waste is repurposed into insulation panels by companies like Franklin Zepeda's.
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