Integrated solid waste management and public policies in mitigating pollution in the Daule river, Guayas province, Republic of Ecuador

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/rc.v7i14edespnov.0297

The research aims to determine the significance of integrated solid waste management and public policies in mitigating pollution in the Daule River, Guayas Province, Republic of Ecuador. Technological tools and a questionnaire adapted with 104 items are used, along with the database from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador, with a sample of 383 professionals from 13 cantons on the right bank of the Daule River. The work is organized into three phases. Pearson correlation was applied, yielding different correlation levels for the research hypotheses. Results show a consistent decrease in water quality in the Daule River due to pollution. Between 2018 and 2022, the cantons exhibit significant variations in solid waste production, but the final disposal of this waste remains deficient and often inadequate. Statistical analyses indicate a low correlation between integrated waste management and environmental pollution (r=0.334), a moderate correlation between public policies and pollution (r=0.536), and a moderate correlation between the combined management of waste and public policies in relation to pollution (r=0.478), highlighting areas for improvement in mitigating river pollution.

Keywords: Solid waste, public policies, environmental pollution.