Participatory cleanups

Environmental Social Program for Transforming Illegal Dumping Sites into Clean and Safe Public Spaces

General Objective: Transform illegal dumping sites into clean and safe public spaces in Quilicura by engaging new stakeholders through a public-private-civil society alliance, employing participatory urban innovation methodologies.

The project involved several key activities, starting with a Participatory Cleanup of the site with schoolchildren, followed by a Participatory Design Workshop, where the community contributed to planning the space.

Finally, a General Activation of the site marked the beginning of its gradual transformation into an Environmental Education Center. These activities fostered citizen participation and sustainable land use, turning the site into a space dedicated to environmental learning and preservation.

A total of 180 tons of waste were removed through participatory actions with local schools. Of this, 25% of the waste was recycled, thanks to the Environmental Management Office of the Quilicura Municipality. Additionally, 7,350 native trees were planted using the Miyawaki method, a technique that accelerates forest growth.

The area was also designated an Environmental Protection Zone by authorities to safeguard the wetland on the site, which hosts plant species such as totora—locally used as a manufacturing material—along with birds and other wildlife.