Gestión de residuos para la especie Theobroma cacao spp., incorporando indicadores de economía circular en la Finca Real del cantón Loreto provincia de Orellana

Abstract

The cultivation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) has a great impact on the economy of its producers and workers in Loreto, province of Orellana, but at the same time generates a large amount of waste that can have a negative impact on the environment due to the use of chemicals for its maintenance; for this reason, the objective was to develop a waste management of the species Theobroma cacao spp. incorporating circular economy indicators in the Finca Real. A descriptive non-experimental methodology was used, making use of tools such as: surveys to cocoa associations in Loreto, sampling, physicochemical analysis of soil, water, cocoa pod, and husk residues, as well as microbiological analysis of water. The Life Cycle Analysis methodology was also used as an indicator of the circular economy to determine the environmental impacts of cocoa cultivation through the GaBi software, with this information the waste management for Finca Real was developed. It was found that mainly during the life cycle of cocoa 215000 kg of water is used, 16 kg of organic waste, 9 kg of plastic bags, 151 kg of hazardous waste, 34200 kg of husk and 1350 kg of cocoa husk are produced, circular economy indicators were introduced in terms of efficiency in the use of resources, waste minimization, recycling and reuse, income diversification, sustainable certifications, among others. It was concluded that the main factor of contamination in cocoa cultivation was the use of diesel as fuel in the transportation of plants and pure cocoa beans; in addition, the residues of cocoa husks and cocoa shells have potential for the production of products of economic interest, allowing the reuse of waste.