Design of a solid waste classification and utilization station applying the Adjusted General Methodology (AMM) for good practices in the district of Turbo.

Aiming at sustainable development objectives, the solid waste sorting and recovery stations (ECA) are a key element in the strategy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. In this process, environmental reclaimers play an essential role, as they are direct actors in the separation, classification, and reincorporation of materials into the productive chain. Recognizing this contribution, the national government has promoted and adopted various regulations aimed at dignifying their work, guaranteeing their inclusion in formal waste management systems, and improving their working conditions.
The objective of this project is to carry out a pre-feasibility study for the installation of a solid waste Classification and Utilization Station (ECA) in the district of Turbo, Antioquia. For this purpose, adescriptive research with a qualitative and quantitative approach was developed, through which the necessary requirements to guarantee the adequate operation of the project were identified and analyzed.
As a result of the market analysis and the technical study, it was concluded that the project is feasible, since it generates a significant impact in both the social and environmental areas. In the social aspect, a marked difference was identified between the purchase price and the sale price of recyclable materials, which shows economic opportunities currently taken advantage of by small companies (scrap metal dealers) that intermediate the trade of these wastes. In the environmental component, the reduction in the volume of solid waste going to the landfill stands out, which contributes to a more sustainable management. In addition, the financial evaluation supports the viability of the project by showing a favorable internal rate of return (IRR), which represents an attractive value for the investment.
After carrying out the prefeasibility study and analyzing the different components evaluated, it is concluded that the project is economically viable. This viability is based on the profitability derived from the purchase and sale of recyclable materials, as well as on its environmental sustainability, by contributing to the reduction of waste and its efficient use.