CONAF, in collaboration with various entities, designed a structure for a new trail in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park using entirely recycled material.

The project, an unprecedented pilot plan in a protected area, uses plastic and Tetra Pack containers to create a material similar to wood. Some of this waste is obtained from the park itself, preventing it from being disposed of in landfills and turning it into a high-quality material. The material used is durable, resistant to adverse weather conditions, thermal and acoustic absorbent, fireproof, sanitizable and does not corrode. It is more efficient and has a lower maintenance cost than the wood traditionally used.

This solution has characteristics that can be replicated in Chile as well as in other protected areas around the world. It generates multisectoral alliances, saves financial resources and reduces the maintenance work of park rangers, while improving visitor management, promoting inclusion and favoring biodiversity.