Fortalecimiento de los procesos en la gestión de recolección y transporte de los residuos sólidos en El Retorno, Guaviare

Abstract

This report presents the results of a professional internship carried out at the company APC Servir, located in the municipality of El Retorno, Guaviare. The main objective was to optimize the solid waste collection and transportation service, an essential task within local environmental management, as it contributes to maintaining order and cleanliness in the surroundings, preventing impacts on public health, and improving the quality of life of the residents. The internship was undertaken as a graduation requirement for the Environmental Engineering degree, allowing for the practical application of knowledge acquired during academic training in a real-world setting. Through this experience, the service provided by the company was strengthened, while deepening the understanding of operational processes, daily challenges, and opportunities for improvement in terms of sustainability and efficiency. The work was divided into three phases. First, a general diagnosis of the service was carried out, identifying routes, critical points, and working conditions of the staff. In the second phase, efforts focused on optimizing the collection microroutes, particularly in the urban area and the inspections of La Libertad and El Unilla, aiming to improve coverage and reduce time and resource consumption. Finally, an operational manual was developed to organize and standardize service activities, providing clear guidelines on planning, safety, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment, with the purpose of facilitating training and ensuring regulatory compliance. A follow-up and monitoring plan was also designed to verify that the sanitation service is carried out efficiently and in accordance with established guidelines. The project strengthened the operation of the sanitation service in the municipality of El Retorno through a technical review, route redesign, and the development of key operational tools. By applying both technical and academic approaches from environmental engineering, the work contributed to process improvement, promoting a more efficient and sustainable solid waste management system.