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Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts of Urban Waste Recycling as Part of Circular Economy. The Case of Cuenca (Ecuador)

Author

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  • Damián Burneo

    (Faculty of Economic and Business/Department of Economic Analysis and Political Economy, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, 41.005 Sevilla, Spain)

  • José M. Cansino

    (Faculty of Economic and Business/Department of Economic Analysis and Political Economy, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, 41.005 Sevilla, Spain
    Faculty of Business and Administration, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Avda. Pedro de Valdivia, 425, Providencia, Santiago 7500912, Chile)

  • Rocio Yñiguez

    (Faculty of Economic and Business/Department of Economic Analysis and Political Economy, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, 41.005 Sevilla, Spain)

Abstract

Urban mining by recyclers represents a positive environmental impact as well as being part of the waste management chain. This paper analyzes the contribution of waste pickers in the city of Cuenca in Ecuador and the conditions of their activity. This research has a two-fold objective. First, it calculates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the substitution of virgin raw material in the production process by using recycled urban waste. The second objective is to conduct a socioeconomic analysis of the workers involved in the urban waste sector. Cuenca (Ecuador) is the main city used for this case study, thanks to the accessibility of a rich database built from the survey conducted by the NGO Alliance for Development. The information contained in this survey facilitates the identification of potential consumers of the waste industry. This study uses Clean Development Mechanism methodology. Finally, this work proposes a theoretical model for solid waste management, applied to the city, following the principles of the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Damián Burneo & José M. Cansino & Rocio Yñiguez, 2020. "Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts of Urban Waste Recycling as Part of Circular Economy. The Case of Cuenca (Ecuador)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3406-:d:348764
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    4. E. Cuadrado & L. H. Macias-Zambrano & A. J. Carpio & C. Tabernero, 2022. "The moderating effect of collective efficacy on the relationship between environmental values and ecological behaviors," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 4175-4202, March.
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