November 28, 2023
Moving towards a circular economy and meeting carbon neutrality goals is essential to combating climate change. Various industries are already taking steps to lead this transition in their production sectors.
How are we progressing towards a circular economy? Nations are working to meet carbon neutrality goals, and various industries are already taking action to lead this transition in their respective production sectors.
In a conversation with Clima de Cambio , on Radio Pauta , Pablo Rosello , Corporate Innovation Leader at SQM , explained one of the initiatives launched by SQM to support a startup focused on reducing the water footprint .
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“We are working with Remote Waters ; they have desalination plants, but on a smaller scale. So it’s super interesting because they made certain adaptations to be able to extract water with a high boron content from the Loa River for agriculture in the desert,” he commented.
He added that " it's tremendous because agriculture within the different localities is a source of employment ; being able to irrigate alfalfa and have those products is tremendous for the communities."
What other industries are transitioning to sustainability?
The urgency of protecting the environment in the face of climate change has driven the adoption of global measures, such as the Net Zero and decarbonization goals , as well as the revolution of Non-Conventional Renewable Energies (NCRE).
Drillco is a leading company in the geothermal industry, launching a portfolio of products specifically designed for geothermal drilling. This is a key source of green energy in Scandinavian countries, utilizing the heat stored in the ground for heating and cooling in buildings, thus contributing to the transition to clean energy.
In Chile, geothermal energy is in its infancy but has great potential, and it is expected that opportunities for its development will be explored in various applications, from electricity generation to heating and cooling of buildings .
Our country produces approximately 750,000 tons of glass per year , with about 500 million containers or bottles ending up in landfills annually.
Alto del Carmen has partnered with TriCiclos to promote glass bottle recycling at three collection points in Sodimac parking lots in Santiago, with the goal of recycling 3 tons in three months. The initiative includes events, contests, and prizes to encourage participation.
Paula Soler, head of marketing at Cristalerías Chile , highlighted that the collaboration recognizes the history of glass recyclers in the country and strengthens citizen campaigns by valuing the product, the brand and the people.
Sustainable entrepreneurship
Megacentro's Sustainable Innovation Center in Puerto Montt has become a key space to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs in the Los Lagos Region.
Currently, more than 20 projects participate in this center, benefiting from free co-working spaces and meeting rooms. These "unlikely encounters" connect large companies with a sustainable focus to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, promoting greener practices.
This approach has led to the success of partnerships, such as the one between Taller Verde Sur and Good Wood , an enterprise that transforms plastics and tetra pak into ecological wooden furniture.
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Local entrepreneurs like Dominique Hollemart , founder of Caranca , stand out; she produces high-quality rain boots from recycled tire rubber.
Also, María José de la Fuente , creator of Huiro Regenerativo , a project that uses marine polyculture systems for social, environmental and economic regeneration, taking advantage of disused aquaculture concessions.
Good Wood , another venture of the Center, manufactures sustainable products from thermoplastic waste, combining the properties of wood and plastic.