Advances on the Implementation of Circular Economy Techniques in Rural Areas in Colombia under a Sustainable Development Framework

Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri, Camilo-A. Vargas-Terranova, María-Elena Rodrigo-Clavero and Paula-A. Bustos-Castro
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Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri: Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
Camilo-A. Vargas-Terranova: Programa de Ingeniería Ambiental y Sanitaria, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
María-Elena Rodrigo-Clavero: Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
Paula-A. Bustos-Castro: Quipus Consultores SAS, Cota 250010, Colombia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: For the first time in the scientific literature, this research shows an analysis of the implementation of circular economy techniques under sustainable development framework in six municipalities with a depressed economy in Colombia. The analysis is based on solid waste data production at a local scale, the valuation of the waste for subsequent recycling, and the identification and quantification of the variables associated with the treatment and final disposal of waste, in accordance with the Colombian regulatory framework. Waste generation data are obtained considering three different scenarios, in which a comparison between the simulated values and those established in the management plans are compared. Important differences have been identified between the waste management programs of each municipality, specifically regarding the components of waste collection, transportation and disposal, participation of environmental reclaimers, and potential use of materials. These differences are fundamentally associated with the different administrative processes considered for each individual municipality. This research is a good starting point for the development of waste management models based on circular economy techniques, through the subsequent implementation of an office tool in depressed regions such as those studied.

Keywords: comprehensive solid waste management; public cleaning system; low-income municipalities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3816-:d:526998

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