Iniciativas relacionadas con economía circular para el aprovechamiento de residuos de un solo uso (poliestireno expandido EPS)

Abstract

This work is a documentary review oriented to the analysis, description and selection of efficient alternatives for the use and return to the production chain of expanded polystyrene or EPS that applies the variables of circular economy; answering the question, What alternatives allow applying the concept of circular economy for the use of single-use waste (expanded polystyrene)? For this, a preliminary investigation of the problems generated by the low reuse and high agglomeration in inadequate spaces of the EPS was carried out, these cause a negative impact for the parties involved in the consumption of said material; which is mainly used by the construction, food and appliance packaging industries. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was carried out by means of a benchmarking of the existing alternatives to mitigate or recover the EPSd, where criteria such as: environmental impact, involvement of stakeholders, circular economy, among others; which are adjusted to the alternatives for their respective parity. Finally, an adaptation of the Leopold matrix was made, which allowed evaluating the proposals that met the established parameters; granting a rating according to its magnitude and importance. This allowed them to be identified from highest to lowest, taking into account economic, social and environmental benefits; Thus, there is a variety of sustainable alternatives that allow the use of a residue such as EPSd. As a result, the benefits derived from applying these proposals to the main actors in the economy are unquantifiable.