No. Burning trash in Chile is generally prohibited under national environmental laws, with exceptions for agricultural or indigenous practices under strict permits. Local municipalities enforce additional restrictions, and non-compliance risks fines or criminal liability under the 2022 Environmental Crimes Law.
Key Regulations for Burning Trash in Chile
- Decreto Supremo N°148/2003 (Reglamento Sanitario sobre Manejo de Residuos Sólidos): Bans open burning of municipal solid waste, classifying it as a health hazard. Violations trigger fines up to 1,000 UTM (≈$85,000 CLP in 2024).
- Ley N°21.202 (2020): Amends the General Law on Urban Planning and Constructions, empowering municipalities to regulate or ban burning within urban limits. Santiago’s Ordenanza Municipal (2023) imposes stricter penalties for residential burning.
- Ley N°20.920 (2016, Ley REP): Prohibits burning of recyclable or hazardous waste, mandating municipal waste separation programs. Non-compliance may result in sanctions under the Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente (SMA).
Exceptions and Enforcement Gaps Agricultural burning (e.g., crop residue) requires prior authorization from the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG), valid only in rural zones during specific seasons. Indigenous communities may burn under Ley Indígena N°19.253, but only for traditional practices. Enforcement varies: rural areas often lack oversight, while urban zones (e.g., Valparaíso, Concepción) deploy drones to detect illegal smoke.
2026 Compliance Shift The Ministry of the Environment’s Plan de Gestión Integral de Residuos 2026 tightens controls, introducing real-time monitoring systems for high-risk zones. Non-compliant municipalities face reduced federal waste management funding.