Implementation of oxo-biodegradable plastic bags and their social and environmental impact in the city of Loja, Ecuador

Authors

  • Raquel Verónica Hernández Ocampo Universidad Nacional de Loja
  • Santiago Rafael García Matailo Carrera de Ingeniería en Manejo y Conservación del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional de Loja. Loja, Ecuador
  • Vivian Jamileth Santos-Orellana Carrera de Ingeniería en Manejo y Conservación del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional de Loja. Loja, Ecuador

Abstract

The following research studies the social and environmental impact caused by the use of oxo-biodegradable bags, which use has been implemented in Loja city through municipal ordinance (N° 044-2017 and its reform N° 050-2017). Due to the persistence of plastic in the environment, it is necessary to test if oxo-biodegradable bags reduce environmental damage in comparison to conventional polyethylene plastic bags. Data was collected through surveys addressed to store owners and their customers; based on this data, a social impact evaluation matrix was developed. To determine the environmental impact caused by oxo-biodegradable bags, the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) method was applied, using the SimaPro software 8.5.2.0. The study area was located in downtown Loja, where the city’s commerce concentrates and the use of plastic bags is abundant. As a result, despite the positive acceptance of the oxo-biodegradable bags by the population (65 %), these do not provide an improvement to the environment because optimal conditions for their degradation (temperature, oxygen, and UV radiation) are not present in landfill, where they spend their last stage of life. It was found that ecotoxicity and human toxicity are the greatest environmental impacts generated during the entire life cycle of oxo-biodegradable bags, and that the difference between common plastic bags and oxo-biodegradable ones, in terms of environmental impacts, is minimal.

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Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Hernández Ocampo, R. V., García Matailo, S. R. ., & Santos-Orellana, V. J. . (2020). Implementation of oxo-biodegradable plastic bags and their social and environmental impact in the city of Loja, Ecuador. CEDAMAZ, 10(2), 57–63. Retrieved from https://revistas.unl.edu.ec/index.php/cedamaz/article/view/881

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2020): CEDAMAZ

Section

Review Articles

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