Page 4 - Asoex Sustainability Report

b) Inclusion of innovative technologies in fruit packinghouses and storage facilities (cofounded by FIC O’Higgins [Competitive Innovation Fund]) – See:
http://www.fdf.cl/tecnologias_innovadoras/ actividades/pilotos.htm.
Water for Irrigation
The ef cient management of water is a matter of concern to ASOEX and its members, given its importance in the production process and the climate change scenario that makes rainfall patterns more variable.
The industry has also implemented measures such as the replacement of traditional lamps by LED lamps in packinghouses and of ces, and the use of solar panels as source of heat (hot water) and electricity.
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PROJECTS in energy efficiency and non-traditional RES
Region
Localized Irrigation of Fruit Trees
Atacama
90.4%
Coquimbo
96.1%
Valparaíso
83.3%
Localized irrigation
techniques have a
signi cant incidence in
a more ef cient use of
the resource. The export
fruit industry has made
substantial efforts in this
area. These systems, be
they drip, spray or micro
sprinkler irrigation, are
the best technology for
an ef cient use of water in irrigation. In this sense, these technologies have been adopted
by most growers in the Chilean regions where water is a sensitive element. Thus, fruit tree irrigation in the regions of Atacama and Coquimbo is 90% localized1.
1 Source: Land Registry Fruit Records, CIREN - ODEPA.
Additionally, medium and small sized water reservoirs have been built in several regions of the country for irrigation water storage and connection to localized irrigation systems.
Likewise, closed irrigation channels were built to prevent evaporation in the Coquimbo Region that had four consecutive years of drought. Unfortunately, they were seriously damaged by the 2015 earthquake.
>90%
LOCALIZED IRRIGATION in the Atacama and Coquimbo Regions
WASTE MANAGEMENT
A major waste of the fruit industry are pesticide packages. Fresh fruit exporters and growers have implemented a triple rinse practice before disposal at authorized locations.
Plastic and cardboard recycling is a widespread practice among growers and fresh fruit exporters.
Partnerships are formed with companies specialized in picking up and recycling this type of waste.
On the other hand, crushed pruning waste is integrated into the soil to improve its organic matter.
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