Industrial Solid Waste Management in a Metallurgical Plant: Effects of Environmental Rearrangement and Feedback

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a contingency arrangement (environmental rearrangement and feedback presentation) in a metallurgical company to increase the likelihood of proper disposal and separation of industrial solid waste.   Theoretical Framework: The incorrect disposal of solid waste in companies produces a series of environmental damages and significantly hampers the effectiveness of reverse logistics.   Method: Two owners and all employees of a metallurgical company in Paraná, Brazil, participated. The procedure consisted of three stages: (1) analysis and detailed description of the current disposal conditions before the intervention; (2) strategic rearrangement of containers for waste disposal location, accompanied by a weekly record of the types of waste discarded during the intervention; and (3) installation of informative signs providing monthly feedback on the quantity of waste discarded.   Results and Conclusion: The structural rearrangement of the environment, with the strategic placement of containers in easily accessible locations and the inclusion of signs identifying the types of waste in each of them, coupled with regular feedback on the quantity of waste disposal from the metallurgical plant, resulted in a highly effective management of solid waste in the company. We concluded that the intervention improved the company’s industrial solid waste management and expanded the reverse logistics practice.   Implications of the Research: The intervention contributed to local-level management, which could inspire similar changes in the socio-environmental management practices of other organizations.   Originality/value: The study contributes to scientific advancement by proposing the contingency arrangement based on Behavior Analysis principles.