Community strategy for the sustainable development of rimpe fast food businesses in the ximena Parish, Guayaquil

Abstract

Introduction: The study focuses on the sustainability of RIMPE fast food businesses in the Ximena parish, Guayaquil Canton in Ecuador, evaluating how the interaction of these businesses and the surrounding community influences the management of non-hazardous and special waste. according to environmental regulations and sustainable development. It underlines the need for a community strategy to address environmental and socio-economic challenges. Materials and Methods: The methods are based on the qualitative approach based on direct observation, with interviews with community actors selected to collect and analyze data. Results: They reveal that, although some businesses apply sustainable practices such as the sale of used oils and waste sorting, many lack clear knowledge about proper waste management. Furthermore, it is observed that the interaction between businesses and the community is limited, with barriers such as lack of collaboration and unfair competition. Discussion: It is argued that the effectiveness of sustainable practices depends largely on community education and participation, and a more holistic model of community sustainability is proposed, called the "Iceberg Model of Community Sustainability." Conclusions: It is confirmed that education and active participation are fundamental to improve sustainability and local development in the Ximena parish. It is recommended to strengthen environmental regulations, promote collaboration between business and the community, and encourage corporate social responsibility. Furthermore, additional studies are suggested to address research limitations, such as the lack of data on unregulated businesses, to obtain a more complete view of sustainability in the fast-food sector in Guayaquil.