Economic return from the utilization of waste generated in fruit production in the semi-arid region of Ceará, Brazil

The reuse of plastic waste can become an economically viable agricultural activity, especially in fruit farming located in the semi-arid region of Ceará. Materials that were previously considered waste in agricultural areas can be an alternative source of capital and job creation for the region, using techniques for reusing and recycling these materials. The objective of this work was to evaluate the importance and economic viability of reusing plastic materials used directly in fruit farming. Data were collected from a fruit farming company and a recycling company in the municipality of Icapuí, in the state of Ceará. Financial viability indicators such as Net Present Value [NPV], Internal Rate of Return [IRR], simple Payback [PB], and discounted Payback [PBD] were calculated.The results showed that the use of recycling techniques and equipment in companies is a path that generates many opportunities for reusing previously discarded materials, as well as economic viability, confirmed by the Net Present Value (NPV) of R$ 529,777.58 and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 31%. According to the discounted payback calculation, it will take two years and four months to recover the investment from the discounted net cash flows. It is concluded that the activity is sustainable and profitable, bringing benefits and profit to the fruit grower, in addition to providing direct and indirect jobs.