DIAGNOSIS DEL CONSUMO DE POLIESTIRENO EXPANDIDO EN LOS PATIOS DE COMIDA DE LA CIUDAD DE GUAYAQUIL Y PROPUESTA DE UNA POLÍTICA DE GESTIÓN AMBIENTAL PARA SU SUSTITUCIÓN

Abstract

The 7.5% of plastics in the world is made of EPS, whose use and consumption has become more widespread as containers for food and beverages at express food sites, but factors such as their oil source, recycling nullity, low biodegradability and, especially the increase in the volume of plastic wastes that reach landfills, led to the objective of this article was to make a diagnosis in the consumption patterns of the EPS containers in the CC Mall del Sol and to formulate an Environmental Management Policy, of cantonal incidence, that regulates and replaces this type of plastic by other containers of easy integration to the nature such as bioplastics, cardboard, paper and/or reusable tableware. For this, the 53 managers of food shops were interviewed to determine the daily volume of foamflex waste and their willingness to accept a change in the demand for containers to serve food. An average of 308.34 kg of EPS containers is used daily, equivalent to 19 515 units; and a perception of change from 69% acceptance versus 31% denial. The policy consists of clauses, sanctions, obligations and deadlines, addressed to 4 main actors: manufacturers, primary consumers, secondary consumers and GADs; focusing the greater responsibility on the latter. All that is manifested in this research is governed by the principles of the Sustainable Development Objectives and the principles of Ecuador's environmental regulations.