Public policies to mitigate plastic pollution and adhere to the circular economy: A case study from Ecuador.

Naranjo-Silva, S.

Most plastics do not biodegrade; instead, they fragment into microplastics that pollute air, water, and soil. These microplastics are ingested by animals, potentially entering the food chain and contaminating drinking water. By 2050, nearly 12,000 million tons of plastic waste are projected to accumulate in landfills and natural environments, leading to oceans potentially containing more plastic than fish. This study uses Ecuador as a case study to examine public management strategies aimed at promoting plastic waste industrialization, reducing single-use plastics, and fostering a circular economy for this overused yet controversial material. The investigative-experimental methodology combines local data on Ecuadorian policies with academic research from 2018 to 2022. The findings reveal that Ecuador has implemented various legal regulations to monitor and reduce single-use plastics, including The Law on Rationalization, Reuse, and Reduction of Single-Use Plastics and The Law on Inclusive Circular Economy. These frameworks serve as reference models for other nations seeking to reduce plastic production and consumption. The results underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift in managing solid waste--specifically, how it is generated, disposed of, and treated. Ecuador's regulatory approach demonstrates a transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, providing a promising path for sustainable plastic waste management.

ECUADOR; SINGLE-use plastics; CIRCULAR economy; WASTE management; SOLID waste; FOOD contamination; PLASTIC scrap

Scientia et Technica, 2024, Vol 29, Issue 4, p173

0122-1701

Academic Journal

10.22517/23447214.25344