In August, our Metropolitan Circular Economy Platform (CEP) began operating, an exclusive center for the segregation and classification of packaging, which will enable the achievement of more than 30% of the initial goals of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law for the country.
The new sorting plant of our Circular Economy Platform, located at our operational center in the commune of Quilicura, has been fully operational since August 18th, the date on which it received the operating authorization from the Regional Health Seremi of the Metropolitan Region. In this way, it is ready to operate in September, the date on which the Packaging and Packaging Regulation (EyE) of the Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) Law comes into effect, under which producing companies will be required to valorize an increasing percentage of the packaging of the products they place on the market.
With an initial investment of USD 2,921,823.69 , it is the most modern plant recently inaugurated and the one with the highest capacity for receiving and processing waste. In its first phase, it has an operating space of 900 square meters, specialized technological equipment, and the capacity to annually separate 35,000 tons of packaging materials. Hence its great potential for the country's circular economy, as it expands the capacity to valorize packaging materials, which currently end up in landfills, giving new life to paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals.
This directly contributes to the fulfillment of the REP Law's goals, as in the first stage, it allows for the reception of 120 tons per day, equivalent to 35,000 tons per year. Additionally, Gonzalo Cordua, Manager of Development and Circular Economy at Volta Chile, ensures that the PEC will continue to grow in capacity, as a second stage with a total investment of $5 billion is projected: 'The future projection is to double its size, going from 35,000 tons per year to 70,000 tons, incorporating automation elements in the separation process and simultaneous feeding from the other side of the conveyor belt.
Due to its location in Quilicura, on the Americo Vespucio highway, between Lo Echevers and Lo Boza, the Circular Economy Platform enjoys excellent connectivity and easy access to the entire central, northern, and eastern areas of Santiago. This allows for shorter truck travel distances, reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing the carbon footprint of the logistics operation. The Metropolitan CEP already holds all the necessary permits from environmental and health authorities, allowing it to participate in bids resulting from agreements that GRANSIC signs with various municipalities in the Metropolitan Region for post-consumer waste, as well as waste from industrial clients. Regarding service for our partnerships, the facility enables swift and efficient customer service, with ample access, two scales (inbound and outbound), expedited circulation, and three simultaneous truck reception points, minimizing waiting times.
Check out the full article published in Diario Financiero.: https://www.df.cl/empresas/industria/volta-chile-inaugura-planta-ambiental-para-ley-rep-en-quilicura-con
