ABOUT THE METROPOLITAN REGION
The “Región Metropolitana” includes the city of Santiago, the capital of Chile, along with the “Cordillera de los Andes” and the “Cordillera de la Costa”. It is the smallest region, yet the most populated in the entire country. It has a Mediterranean climate, with a long dry summer season and a rainy winter, although rain is increasingly scarce due to climate change. Santiago is known for its neoclassical architecture, such as that of the 18th century Metropolitan Cathedral located in the “Plaza de Armas”. In addition, you can find vineyards with wine from the “Maipo” Valley and ski centers in “Valle Nevado”. The most popular attractions in the Metropolitan Region are Cerro San Cristóbal (third highest point in the city), “Embalse El Yeso” (artificial accumulated water reserve), and Sky Costanera (glass viewpoint located in a skyscraper 300 meters from height).
Given the geographic and demographic characteristics of the “Región Metropolitana”, one of the main problems it faces is atmospheric pollution, produced both by industry and by motorized means of transport, pollution with difficulty leaving the region, since it is surrounded by mountains. Another problem is the large amount of solid waste generated per year, which we can find both in the streets, illegal dumps, etc. Finally, there is a wide inequality with respect to the existence of green spots in the region, existing in greater numbers in the wealthiest communes of the region, which opens a gap both with respect to the incentive to recycle and the dignity of the inhabitants of the different communes.
Our local BlueCommunities partner is FUNDACIÓN MINGAKO. It is an NGO that promotes a sustainable life and they do it together with the community through workshops, education and co-construction.
LOCAL GOALS
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
LOCAL PARTNER
FUNDACIÓN MINGAKO is a non-profit citizen organization, originally from San Bernardo, which since 2015 works to rescue the ancestral knowledge of the Minga (collaborative work) and promote a sustainable lifestyle from and together with the communities. They have achieved an international reach through the execution of projects that promote a collective environmental awareness and community sustainability.
Precious Plastic
In our Eco Popular Laboratory we promote the revaluation of plastic waste through the manufacture of 4 plastic recycling machines – shredder, injector, extruder and compressor – associated with the international Precious Plastic project. With them we can extend the life of these wastes by turning them into 100% recycled and 100% recyclable products.
The work of our eco-popular laboratory includes the development of various research, innovation and community development projects in alliance with educational institutions for the democratization of appropriate and appropriate technologies. Thus, we have collaboratively created recycled plastic test tubes for the study of their mechanical properties, a material optimization protocol, improvements in the original design of the extruder, among other developments.
ECO ESCUELA POPULAR
Popular school for people over 18 years of age who live in the San Bernardo municipality and who are interested in facing the social and ecological crisis that is currently being experienced.
In this school participants will learn about 16 socio-environmental problems recognized with the community, about the system that has us in crisis, pedagogical tools and eco-trades (where it will be taught from a theoretical and practical point of view). Said eco-trades are: Creative reuse (reuse of textiles and thermofusion of plastic bags), Agroecology (“Garden design”, “plant seed and substrate”, “transplantation and cultural management” and “organic harvest and recycling”), Carpentry with reuse of pallets and Conscious Body, my first territory (Natural medicine, natural hygiene, healthy and conscious cooking).