Occupational Safety in the Management of Pet Plastic Waste Generated by the Lot 57 Camp in Camisea and Analysis of Economic Losses Due to Poor Segregation

Abstract

Solid waste management presents a significant challenge in large cities worldwide, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, industrial development, and changing consumption patterns. Key stages in solid waste management include generation, storage, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. In Latin America and the Caribbean, management often focuses on “collection and disposal” schemes, neglecting recycling, waste treatment, and environmentally sound final disposal (Sáenz & Urdaneta, 2020). In Peru, mining and hydrocarbon activities dominate the economy, with the country ranking as the third-largest global copper producer and sixth-largest gold producer. Over 70% of the Peruvian Amazon overlaps with oil and gas deposits, areas inhabited by indigenous communities or designated as nature reserves. One-third of Peru's electricity is derived from natural gas, notably from Camisea (del Castillo, 2015). Improper waste management poses environmental risks and contributes to economic losses. In Lot 57's camp in Camisea, most workers from nearby indigenous communities lack environmental awareness, often failing to segregate waste properly. This results in reduced marketability of reusable materials, forcing waste to be sent to landfills instead. Furthermore, existing national legislation remains insufficient, offering only broad guidelines for worker safety and environmental protection. This study aimed to evaluate occupational safety in the management of PET plastic waste at Lot 57, analyze the economic losses due to poor segregation, and propose improvements to optimize waste management, thereby reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact.