Diseño de un sistema mecánico para compactar desechos de envases de espuma de poliestireno, provenientes del comedor universitario de la Universidad Técnica de Ambato campus Huachi

Abstract

The environmental impact of plastic in Ecuador represents 44.9 percent of styrofoam containers, in university canteens there is a large amount of this material agglomerated in garbage cans that occupy a considerable space, the research aims to design a mechanical system that helps compact waste from styrofoam containers, allowing the initial volume to be reduced to a more manageable volume, to avoid further contamination. A descriptive method was used for the collection of information and documentation of the characteristics of polystyrene, identification of requirements and design specifications, in addition an exploratory method was carried out that involves an open and flexible approach in the search for solutions; An analytical method that follows four stages was proposed: bibliographic compilation, definition of design alternatives, selection of materials, mechanical components and design, and simulation of the compaction system. Finally, the efficiency of the system was evaluated by measuring the relationship between the volume of compacted waste and the space occupied. The system occupies an area of two square meters and compacts 1000 kg of waste into a volume of one cubic meter. The percentage reduction in contamination was calculated by comparing the amount of Styrofoam waste generated before and after implementing the system, achieving compaction of up to 71.4 percent. It can be concluded that the system has a high efficiency when compacting a large amount of waste in a small space.