Sustainability of the usable solid waste market in Bogota (Colombia)

Abstract

Abstract This document shows a model that seeks the sustainability of the Usable Solid Waste (USW) market in Bogotá, based on System Dynamics (SD), in order to understand the complex behavior of the phenomena that should be presented in this city market in the context of sustainability. Dynamic hypothesis suggests that two negative feedback structures exits, one that represents demand and another that represents supply and that interact under the assumption of free market with government intervention. Different strategies were modeled on both the demand side and the supply side to manage the system. As conclusion, the linear way in which the USW market currently develops is not adequate. It is necessary to institutionalize the market using the price so that it contributes to its sustainability and that both demand and supply are encouraged at the same time. Besides, district policy oriented to supply must be in accordance with the national policy that encourages demand to use more USW. Likewise, the internalization by all the actors of the market and applicability of the norm is required. The creation of public-private partnerships is required for the development of innovative projects in this area.