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Chile has approved sweeping new regulations aimed at cutting plastic waste, as part of its push towards a circular economy and reduced environmental pollution. The rules, published in the country’s Diario Oficial on the 7th of January 2026, implement Law No. 21.368, which governs the use of single-use plastics and plastic bottles across the country. Chile generates an estimated 23,000 tonnes of single-use plastic waste every year, much of which ends up in landfills, rivers and the ocean. The government says the new measures are designed to curb that trend while encouraging reuse, recycling and clearer information for consumers.

Compostable plastics under tighter scrutiny

Under the new regulation, plastic products marketed as “certified” must meet strict compostability standards.

To qualify, products must:

• Break down by at least 90% within one year in home composting conditions, or within six months in industrial composting facilities.

• Contain at least 20% material derived from renewable resources, such as plant-based inputs.

Manufacturers will need independent verification from authorised technical bodies before the Ministry of the Environment grants certification.

Certified products must also carry clear labelling, including a unique certificate number and information on whether the item is compostable at home or only in industrial facilities.

Plastic bottles must contain more recycled material

The regulation also introduces mandatory recycled-content targets for disposable plastic bottles sold in Chile.

From 2025, bottles must contain at least 15% recycled plastic collected within the country, a figure that will increase over time:

• 25% by 2030

• 50% by 2040

• 70% by 2060

Caps and labels are excluded from the calculation, but manufacturers must demonstrate full traceability of the recycled material used. Each bottle will carry a QR code, allowing consumers and authorities to check its certification status online.

Push for returnable bottles in shops

In a further move to reduce waste, beverage sellers will be required to offer products in returnable bottles and accept used containers from customers. Large supermarkets must ensure that at least 30% of the bottle display space is dedicated to returnable formats. Imported drinks and beverages produced by small and medium-sized enterprises are exempt from this requirement.

Phased rollout to give industry time to adapt

While the regulation has already entered into force, enforcement will be gradual. Certification requirements will become mandatory six months after the government confirms that authorised verification bodies are operational, while labelling obligations will follow 18 months later. The Ministry of the Environment has also committed to reviewing the rules every five years, allowing targets and requirements to be updated as recycling infrastructure and technology develop.

A regional signal on plastics

Chile is one of several countries in Latin America tightening controls on plastic use, but experts say its system of certification, traceability and public access to compliance data places it among the region’s more ambitious frameworks. For consumers, the government hopes the changes will make it easier to distinguish between genuinely sustainable products and greenwashing.