El Abra Project Giving New Life to Old Seaweed

July 30, 2025 - In the small coastal community of Punta Atala in Northern Chile, an initiative supported by El Abra is helping turn the tide on seaweed waste by giving the discarded material a second life.

With support from a program called the El Abra Sustainable Development Program for the Coastal Border of Tocopilla, the Punta Atala Fisherman’s Union has launched an innovative composting initiative that transforms seaweed waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Seaweed harvesting is a vital part of the local economy, but a significant portion of the product is lost during processing – left to dry in the sun and ultimately discarded. Now, that waste is being put to use.

Punta Atala already has developed its own resource management and processing systems that allow local harvesters to provide seaweed to Asian markets, where it is used in products ranging from creams and detergents to textile dyes and dental items such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

The new composting initiative goes a step further, offering benefits beyond waste reduction. In a region where farming is challenged by poor soil quality and a lack of organic matter, the compost helps enrich the soil and support sustainable agriculture year-round.

"We believe it is important to support the fishermen, divers and seaweed harvesters of Tocopilla in adding value to the products they extract from the sea,” said Gonzalo Larroulet, Sustainability Manager-El Abra. “For this reason, we will continue working through our programs and agreements to support their productive diversification and more sustainable development."

Photo: Sergio Carvajal, a member of the Punta Atala Fishermen’s Union, gathers seaweed waste that will be used for compost as part of a new initiative.