Qué residuos son reciclables y cuáles no? un análisis desde el punto de vista de los recicladores de base en Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of the titling work is to analyze the recyclability of inorganic waste from the point of view of the basic recyclers of Cuenca. The research was carried out with a descriptive level qualitative research approach, through the application of interviews, field observations and documentary review. The study was applied to 2 recycler organizations in Cuenca (ARUC and El Chorro), the data obtained was examined through content analysis. As a result of this process, it was possible to identify two recyclability criteria that recyclers who carry out their activities in the collection centers of the city of Cuenca have: Physical criteria for materials and Commercialization criteria for recyclable materials, which they were categorized and directly compared with those criteria proposed by the producing industry. The results obtained show limitations in marketing among the different actors in the recycling chain, highlighting the recyclability criteria and the organizational component of recycler associations, and in turn lay the foundations for the design of strategies to overcome these limitations. in order to improve the commercial and treatment, separation and classification conditions associated with the material, from the source of generation and through the entire value chain in relation to it, from a vision of the inclusive circular economy.