An Evaluation of the Public Service of the Integrated Municipal Management of Urban Solid Waste in the Galapagos and the Amazonian Region of Ecuador

Paulina Poma (), María Polanco, Karla Usca, Claudio Casella and Theofilos Toulkeridis
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Paulina Poma: Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, 47013 Valladolid, Spain
María Polanco: Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, 47013 Valladolid, Spain
Karla Usca: Faculty of Science, Chemical Engineering, Escuela Superior Politécnica Chimborazo, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador
Claudio Casella: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
Theofilos Toulkeridis: School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-27

Abstract: Municipal solid waste (MSW) generation has become an issue for local governments due to the growing population and rising consumption. The aim of the present study was to assess the public service of SW in relation to technical, environmental, economic, social, legal, and quality indicators. Additionally, this research aimed to ascertain the waste generation and per capita production (PPC) of the municipal administration of the cantons of Loreto, Francisco de Orellana, Aguarico (province of Orellana, Ecuadorian Amazonian lowland), and Santa Cruz (Galapagos Islands). Additionally, the tariff model for small-category cantons were determined. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, along with a field visit, were used. As a result, from the evaluation, it was determined that the technical aspects of the municipal administration of the canton Loreto were found to have a 41.30% Conformity (C), 28.26% Minor Non-Conformity (NC−), and 30.44% Major Non-Conformity (NC+). Likewise, the canton of Francisco de Orellana showed 29.5% (C), 37.21% (NC−), and 33.29% (NC+), while the canton of Aguarico presented 25.6% (C), 43.83% (NC−), and 31.74% (NC+). Finally, the canton of Santa Cruz showed 71.74% (C), 28.26% (NC−), and 0% (NC+). Furthermore, in relation to the other aspects, the municipal administration presented Major Non-Conformity (NC+), since the final disposal phase was poorly handled. This phase is the most crucial because it pollutes the environment if it is not controlled technically. In terms of the production of municipal solid waste (MSW), the cantons of Francisco de Orellana, Loreto, and Aguarico produced 83.97 tons per day and 0.85 kg/inhab/day, 19.5 tons per day (MSW) and 0.7 kg/inhab/day, and 18.60 tons per day with 0.911 kg/inhab/day, respectively. In conclusion, this study made it possible to provide the groundwork for a management model for small-category canton municipalities that is based on the inclusive circular economy and the tariff system. This model could be used to uphold sustainability and improve the all-inclusive municipal management service of MSW in small municipalities.

Keywords: MSW management; circular economy; Ecuador (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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