[Thematic Report] Eco-Friendly Waste Managementby Paola Guevara | 31-10-2021 13:25 |
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 Ecological waste managementFirst, what is it? Waste management is the set of activities necessary for the treatment of waste, from its generation to its elimination or reuse. Over time, the need to correctly manage the waste generated in our daily activities has become evident, due to environmental problems that continue to put our health at risk. The news is increasingly alarming, the capacity of sanitary landfills reaching its limits, waste polluting streams, forests, rivers. The amount of plastic in our oceans is increasingly shocking and difficult to control. In Ecuador: In Ecuador, Loja is considered a pioneer city in terms of caring for the urban environment. This is due to the good results of the solid waste management program that has been in operation for four years and which has become an example for many other municipalities inside and outside of Ecuador. With the operation of a program in coordination with other municipal activities for the maintenance and development of the urban landscape and for the protection of the soil, through continuous education and information campaign. The first step of this macro-project was to enable the sanitation infrastructures and activate a program for the separation of domestic waste. The project covers approximately 80% of the city's population, with 70% cooperation: in addition, it has allowed the generation of two productive projects: using organic waste, compost is produced that replaces artificial fertilizers. Non-biodegradable waste (cardboard, glass, paper, metals, and others) is recycled and sold to different companies. Process 1. Garbage collection:
2. Use of recoverable waste:
3. Final discharge of non-recoverable waste:
4. Training and awareness of the population:
Results obtained After a brief evaluation of this project, we can focus on three main aspects: 1. The living conditions of the "garbage sorters" have improved in the sense of feeling protected by an institution that provides them with adequate conditions for this activity. 2. It is also important to mention the good results obtained with the household waste sorting program. Today the inhabitants of Loja, we have taken responsibility for the proper management of solid waste, in addition to being active members of the development of our community. 3. With the elimination of uncontrolled landfills we have contributed to the decontamination of the environment, especially in the two rivers that have now become tourist attractions, since there are parks on their banks with unique ecological and recreational characteristics. 4. Today, Loja is the city of Ecuador with the highest number of green areas per inhabitant. The old urban landfills have been recovered by planting 35,000 plants in three years. The compost produced in our processing plant is used to fertilize these green areas. Thanks to this program, the environment has been decontaminated, sanitary conditions have improved, and new economic resources have been created with the recycling of rubbish. The most significant achievement has been the creation of environmental awareness in citizens, and the development of a paradigm whose main axis is citizen participation. In addition, recycling workers improve their situation by creating small businesses. This means incorporating new technologies into the old structure to promote healthy ecotourism, which through its multiplier effect produces jobs and, consequently, improves the economic level of the population. The solid waste management program arises in response to the demand of the population. Garbage in Loja is not a problem, it is raw material. sources:(http://habitat.aq.upm.es/dubai/02/bp014.html/) -paola :)
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