Procedure for improving the production process with a circular economy approach in vegetable canning companies

Abstract

This research proposes a procedure for improving the production process using a circular economy approach at the "La Conchita" Vegetable Canning Company, located in Pinar del Río, Cuba. The study begins with the contradiction between the company's current linear production model and the principles of the circular economy, as evidenced by the absence of waste management metrics, a lack of infrastructure for waste sorting and processing, technological limitations, and the systematic waste of raw materials. Through a comprehensive assessment that combined direct observation, surveys of workers and managers, the Delphi method with experts, and the Load Capacity Management System, six root causes of the inefficient tomato puree production process were identified: poor working conditions, difficulties in solid waste management, undertrained staff, machinery in poor condition, demotivation and labor inefficiency, and low job content. The designed procedure is structured in four stages following the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act), integrating twelve operational steps ranging from the analysis of material flow to the standardization of documentation and the planning of new improvement cycles. Validation using the user validation technique yielded a Group Satisfaction Index of 0.942, confirming the relevance, practical feasibility, and perceived effectiveness of the proposed procedure.