Chile government ordered to clean 30,000 tonnes of clothing waste in Atacama Desert: Video
Chile’s First Environmental Tribunal has ruled that the State must take responsibility for the environmental damage caused by illegal textile dumps in the Atacama Desert, specifically in the municipality of Alto Hospicio, Tarapacá region.
The ruling requires the government to present a plan for environmental restoration within six months and complete long-term solutions within ten years.
The decision comes after years of accumulation of discarded clothing, much of it burnt, with some garments still in usable condition. Carla Aviles, director of Desierto Vestido, an organisation focused on the impact of the textile industry, described to Viory the ruling as “unique and historic, as it marks the first time the State has been held accountable for this kind of environmental harm.”
The waste problem began with the large-scale importation of second-hand clothing from abroad, which created a booming resale market in Alto Hospicio’s Quebradilla market. Clothes that could not be sold were frequently burned on the hillsides, exacerbating pollution and contamination in the desert. Fashion designer Kim Karry, who works with textile waste, said the situation reflects broader issues with global second-hand clothing flows.
Diego Lopez, Director of Environment at the Municipality of Iquique, explained that the tribunal’s ruling “relieves historic pressure” on local authorities, clarifying that responsibility lies with the national government. The State’s recovery plan must address waste removal, soil restoration, monitoring, and citizen participation.
Estimates indicate that around 30,000 tonnes of clothing and other waste are currently polluting the Atacama Desert, and this represents only one of multiple known dumping sites in the region. The case has drawn attention internationally as a striking example of the environmental consequences of fast fashion and global second-hand clothing markets.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
