Diseño de un modelo piloto para el reciclaje de PET (Polietilentereftalato) en la localidad de Suba (Bogotá D.C.)

Abstract

At present there are numerous environmental problems related to the high consumption and waste generation rates, and the low recovery rate. Various countries have worked to address the problem by leading initiatives that involve the participation, commitment, and education of various actors in society, investment in technological developments and the generation of regulations that ensure the protection of the environment. Despite this situation, today, this generalized movement has not fully adapted and its scope in developing countries such as Colombia is quite limited. In Colombia the situation is critical since society does not perceive the seriousness of the negative effects of an inadequate disposal of waste while residing in a country rich in natural resources. Some of these negative effects may be associated with the deterioration of natural ecosystems that trigger problems for current generations and more pronounced for future ones. That is why this work aims to carry out a thorough investigation regarding the current situation in the country, the main barriers, business opportunities, methodologies and experiences for recovery and recycling in developed countries and the experience of relevant entities for industry such as CEMPRE, EKORED, Postobón, Punto Azul, ANDI and UAESP. Taking the foregoing into account, a usable PET material recovery model was designed in the locality of Suba that contemplates, on the one hand, environmental variables such as social impact and the education of citizens, and on the other hand, internal variables such as the logistics operation and the costing methodology of a model of this magnitude. In addition, this model placed special emphasis on the projection of the waste recovery activity for 5 years to measure its scope and financial, economic and social impact. Briefly, this research justifies and exposes a waste recovery model focused mainly on the recovery of plastic waste based on PET, whose approach contemplates and covers the social, economic, legal, governmental, technical, and environmental dimensions necessary for its success.