Title: Procedure for economic analysis of projects for selective collection of used PET bottles

Authors: Darlene Gomes Baêta; Ricardo César Da Silva Guabiroba

Addresses: Department of Administration, Federal Fluminense University, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil ' Department of Administration, Federal Fluminense University, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract: Empty PET bottles after consumption, without adequate disposal, have serious negative environmental impacts. Reverse logistics is a sustainable solution, by reinserting the material in the life cycle. This paper reports the development of a procedure for economic analysis to assess whether it is attractive for scavenger cooperatives to participate in a project for selective collection of used PET bottles, in two scenarios: collection with municipal public schools functioning as voluntary delivery points, and as incentivised exchange points (in return for a reward to the schools). The procedure was applied to evaluate a used PET bottle selective collection project in the municipality of Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The results indicate that the project is economically viable and attractive to the cooperative investigated. The project is also beneficial to the city's public schools when functioning as incentivised exchange points, by generating revenue to sponsor educational activities.

Keywords: used PET bottles; economic analysis; collection points; scavenger cooperative; selective collection; recycling; reverse logistics; public schools; Rio de Janeiro State; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.120619

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2022 Vol.29 No.1, pp.14 - 33

Received: 14 May 2019
Accepted: 22 Sep 2019
Published online: 31 Jan 2022 *

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