Diseño de un modelo de revalorización de residuos urbanos mediante la aplicación de mapeo de flujo de valor. Caso: ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

The present study called: “Design of a model for the revaluation of urban waste by applying value stream mapping. Case: Cuenca city”, proposes a survey of the current situation by using the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) tool to study urban waste revaluation processes. It starts from the premise that the management of urban solid waste requires considering, in a holistic way, all the stages of its management and not only as a sum of parts. That is why the present study includes as objectives to be met the diagnosis of the current situation of the recycling and co-processing of urban solid waste in the city of Cuenca; carry out the value flow mapping of these materials to define the optimal routes for the recovery of matter, energy, with emphasis on the socio-economic variables of the personnel dedicated to these activities; for later, and after an analysis and proposal of waste reduction, to elaborate a proposal of a model of revaluation of urban solid waste, within the city of Cuenca. After the bibliographic review and the collection of field data, we proceeded to establish the value flow maps both for the case of materials that are destined (or that can be destined) for recycling and those that are destined for recovery. energy (co-processing). The results obtained indicate that, according to the Lean Manufacturing philosophy, co-processing generates fewer amounts of waste, generating a longer value-added time. However, the collection and separation of waste, for its subsequent recycling, constitute a source of economic income for a group of people who work within the “El Chorro” plant. The waste revaluation model shows that it is possible to carry out a combination of recycling and co-processing, in such a way that the greatest benefit of the two forms of revaluation is obtained, at the same time that the useful life of the Pichacay Landfill is lengthened.