Estudio comparativo de compostabilidad de materiales con eco-etiquetado comercializados en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito.

Abstract

The research was conducted with the purpose of demonstrating whether the products with eco-labeling present in supermarkets in the Distrito Metropolitano de Quito (DMQ) comply with a certain characteristics and are not part of a sales strategy known as greenwashing, which is the false public image of some products that have "eco-labeling" that are sold to the consumer, creating a perception that these are environmentally friendly because of the characteristics that are inferred. The type of raw material used in the production of each product was taken into account, for which it was necessary to prepare product characterization matrix, and then, by means of a selection matrix, the products were selected according to three categories: cups, plates and cutlery. The methodology used was adapted to a domestic context and included the analysis of parameters such as temperature, humidity and pH, as explained in the Ecuadorian standard INEN NTE 2640:2012. To determine the biodegradation of the products, a FTIR spectroscopy analysis was performed with the collaboration of the Centro de Investigaciones Aplicadas a Polímeros (CIAP) of the "Escuela Politécnica Nacional" (EPN), in which it was observed how the functional groups present vary, here the changes suffered by each product were evidenced, the biodegradation was also verified with the necessary support of a photographic record and a visual and palpable detail. In order to accelerate the composting process, the Takakura method was implemented and it was carried out in a temperate climate to avoid interferences due to abrupt changes of climate, besides, the materials for the development of this research are easily accessible.