Problemas, desafios e soluções do uso e implantação de tecnologias em rede de reciclagem

Resumo (EN)

This study investigates the problems, challenges, and solutions for implementing and using technologies applied to recycling networks for domestic solid and non-organic waste. The research is justified because recycling rates are low, around 46% worldwide and 13% in Latin America, although there are technologies that can be applied to positively increase the practice. The first step was to conduct a literature review on technology and recycling. It was then found that academia had contributed little to the aforementioned increase, until the time came to offer alternative models for adopting technologies in the recycling network. Technology does not appear as a hot topic in articles on recycling. The concepts of social network approach, circular economy, industry 4.0, and recycling networks are used as the underlying theory. The research is characterized by being qualitative, descriptive, and analytical. The research plan consisted of the following steps: (a) Investigating the structure and functioning of recycling networks; (b) Finding evidence of the problems, challenges, and solutions in the implementation and use of recycling technologies; (c) Organizing and interpreting the data based on the selected theoretical framework. Data collection was conducted through interviews and secondary sources, including the analysis of a case study. The interviews followed the ethical criteria of the Brasil platform, the criteria on anonymity, the criteria on explaining the risks and benefits to respondents, and the presentation of the Informed Consent Form (ICF). The results of the literature review, secondary documents and company projects, interviews, media and the case study indicated that the adoption of recycling technologies depends on the human factor, due to the lack of commitment of businesspeople to sustainability and to Brazilian legislation, due to the lack of commitment and lack of knowledge of consumers about proper disposal. The government enacts laws on the circular economy and recycling, but there is a lack of oversight and support for social enterprises that operate in the sector, such as cooperatives. The main benefit is to contribute to knowledge about possible barriers and solutions for increasing the application of technologies to the task of recycling. The secondary benefit is the provision of a matrix of indicators of variables present in the implementation and use of technology in recycling networks, which can be used in research and management actions.

Keywords: Networks. Circular Economy. Recycling. Technology. Problems. Challenges. Solutions.