Business Management and Good Environmental Practices in Azogues, Ecuador

Abstract

This article is based on the theoretical perspective of different views on solid waste management, environmental economics, the entrepreneurial role immersed in corporate social responsibility and the research and innovation challenges towards a culture of recycling, reuse and polluting effects reduction. Concerning the methodology, a mixed approach design with an exploratory-descriptive scope was used, with the application of surveys to the inhabitants aged between 15 and 45 years, in the city of Azogues, Ecuador oriented to identify different types of good environmental and recycling practices. Among the main findings from the documentary and bibliographic literature review is the relevance of the companies’ contribution to environmental protection, which is crucial for their business model. This significance is related to the survey results in which, 89.22% of the population uses products that come in plastic containers, 78% of people reported acknowledging the importance of recycling these containers, but, despite this, less than 50% of the surveyed identify the recycling points in the city. 87.10% of the participants are in favour of implementing a project to collect plastic bottles in automatic containers and, after processing, transform them into alternative use products. In conclusion, it can be established that the joint efforts articulation between the different social actors is important since it contributes to the protection of the environment as a social and individual responsibility of both, companies and citizens.