Environmental impact of used clothing imports in the Atacama Desert

Chile serves as a major global hub for imported used clothing, processing approximately 123,000 tons of garments annually. Much of this activity is concentrated in the port of Iquique, specifically within the Zofri free trade zone established in 1975. Businesses import apparel from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, which is then either sold locally or exported throughout Latin America. This industry creates employment opportunities, particularly for women involved in sorting clothes by quality. Lower-quality items are sold at markets like La Quebradilla near Alto Hospicio for prices as low as 500 pesos. However, unsold clothing items often end up illegally dumped in the Atacama Desert, posing a significant environmental challenge. The BBC report highlights the discrepancy between the recycling initiatives in Western nations and the resulting waste management crisis in Northern Chile.