Brasil recicla apenas 4% de 80 milhões de toneladas de lixo | AGORA CNN

CNN Brasil Economia

25 May 202404:31

Summary

TLDRBrazil produces around 880 million tons of waste annually but recycles only 4%. Both public and private sectors seek solutions, with experts suggesting the circular economy, which involves reusing waste to replenish industries. Over 10 years, Brazil imported over 56,000 tons of solid waste, while domestic recycling remains low. In 2023, the government increased import taxes to encourage local recycling. Initiatives like Heineken's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040 highlight private efforts. Experts stress the importance of valuing waste collectors to improve recycling rates and reduce environmental impact.

Takeaways

🇧🇷 Brazil produces around 880 million tons of waste per year but only recycles 4%.
♻️ Both public and private sectors are seeking alternatives to solve the waste problem.
🌍 Experts suggest that reusing waste and re-supplying the industry is a solution, known as the circular economy.
📉 Over the last decade, Brazil has imported over 56,000 tons of solid waste while domestic recycling remains insufficient.
📈 The import of waste materials like paper and glass has increased significantly, with plastic imports rising by 7.2%.
💸 Cheap imported waste materials are used in industrial recycling processes, hindering domestic recycling efforts.
🚯 Brazil ranks fourth in global plastic pollution but contributes about 5% to global plastic production.
📦 About 12 million tons of plastic waste are imported annually, which experts criticize given Brazil's domestic waste management struggles.
🌱 The circular economy could drastically reduce waste by recycling more domestically produced waste.
🛡️ In 2023, the Brazilian government raised import taxes on waste materials to 18% to discourage imports and boost the circular economy.
🏭 An example of private initiative is Heineken's 2022 commitment to neutralize carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040.
💡 Heineken's recycling projects have already collected significant amounts of glass, saving landfill space and reducing CO2 emissions.
🤝 Eduardo Ferreira de Paula emphasizes the need to value waste collectors in this process, advocating for reverse logistics.

Q & A

How much waste does Brazil produce annually?
-Brazil produces approximately 880 million tons of waste per year.
What percentage of Brazil's waste is recycled?
-Only 4% of Brazil's waste is recycled.
What is one proposed solution to Brazil's waste management problem?
-One proposed solution is the adoption of a circular economy, where waste is reused and reintegrated into the production process.
How much solid waste has Brazil imported over the past 10 years?
-Brazil has imported more than 56,000 tons of solid waste over the past 10 years.
How has the import of materials like paper and glass changed in recent years?
-The import of paper has increased by more than 100% and glass by over 70%.
What is a significant factor contributing to Brazil's low recycling rate?
-A significant factor is the importation of cheap waste materials, which are used by industries, preventing the recycling of locally generated waste.
What environmental benefits could result from increasing the recycling rate in Brazil?
-Increasing the recycling rate could significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, leading to environmental benefits such as reduced pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
How did the Brazilian government change import taxes on waste in 2023?
-In 2023, the Brazilian government raised import taxes on waste to 18%. Previously, paper and glass were exempt from this tax, and plastic was taxed at over 11%.
What commitment did Heineken make in 2022 related to recycling and emissions?
-Heineken committed to neutralizing carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040 and has been promoting glass recycling through collection machines.
What impact has Heineken's recycling project had so far?
-Heineken's project has collected 563 tons of glass, saving 676 tons of virgin raw materials, 425 cubic meters of landfill space, and preventing 265 tons of CO2 emissions.
What role do waste pickers play in Brazil's recycling process, according to Eduardo Ferreira de Paula?
-Waste pickers play a crucial role in collecting and recovering recyclable materials, ensuring they do not end up in landfills. Their work is vital for the success of the circular economy.
What does Eduardo Ferreira de Paula suggest is necessary for improving Brazil's recycling system?
-Eduardo Ferreira de Paula suggests that valuing and properly compensating waste pickers is essential for improving the recycling system in Brazil.

Outlines

00:00

♻️ The State of Recycling in Brazil

Brazil produces approximately 880 million tons of waste annually but manages to recycle only 4% of it. Both public and private sectors are exploring alternatives to tackle this issue. Experts suggest the adoption of a circular economy, where waste is reused to replenish industries, as a viable solution. This approach is currently being explored, as highlighted in Diego Mendes' report. Over the past decade, Brazil has imported over 56,000 tons of solid waste, while domestic recycling rates remain insufficient. Imports of materials like paper have increased by more than 100% and glass by over 70%. Additionally, plastic waste imports have risen by 7.2%, with imported materials being cheaper and thus favored by industries for recycling processes. This reliance on imported waste hinders the increase in domestic recycling rates.

🗑️ Challenges and Opportunities in Brazilian Waste Management

Brazil generates around 80 million tons of waste annually, of which only 4% is recycled. The country ranks fourth globally in plastic pollution, contributing about 5% to global plastic production. Annually, Brazil imports 12 million tons of plastic waste. Experts criticize the high import rates of solid waste, given the country’s struggles to manage its domestic waste. They advocate for a circular economy, where locally produced waste would be recycled and reused within the country. Such a system could significantly reduce the 96% of waste currently not recycled, potentially lowering it to 50-60%. The environmental benefits would be substantial, as recycling more domestic waste would reduce landfill use and pollution.

🚫 Import Tariffs to Encourage Local Recycling

In 2023, the Brazilian federal government increased import taxes on waste materials to 18% to discourage waste imports and promote a circular economy. Previously, paper and glass imports were tax-exempt, while plastics were taxed at over 11%. The new tax policy aims to reduce reliance on imported waste and encourage local recycling initiatives.

🏭 Corporate Initiatives in Waste Management

Companies like Heineken are taking proactive steps to address waste and emissions. In 2022, Heineken committed to neutralizing carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040. One of its projects focuses on glass recycling, using collection machines to gather used glass. This initiative has collected 563 tons of glass, preventing the extraction of 676 tons of virgin raw materials, saving 425 cubic meters of landfill space, and avoiding the emission of 265 tons of CO2. Such efforts illustrate the potential environmental benefits of corporate responsibility and innovation in waste management.

🤝 The Role of Cooperatives in Recycling

Eduardo Ferreira de Paula, co-founder of a cooperative for autonomous waste collectors, emphasizes the need for more companies to adopt similar measures. While initiatives like Heineken’s are commendable, the country’s recycling infrastructure requires significant enhancement. He stresses the importance of valuing waste collectors in this process, advocating for them to be compensated for collecting and recovering materials. This 'reverse logistics' system involves collectors retrieving packaging from landfills to be recycled, ensuring that waste does not return to the environment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. In the context of the video, only 4% of Brazil's waste is recycled, which is a key issue being addressed. The video highlights the importance of increasing recycling rates to reduce environmental impact.

💡Circular Economy

A circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources. The video suggests this approach as a solution to Brazil's waste problem by reusing waste materials to replenish industries, reducing the need for raw materials and environmental harm.

💡Solid Waste

Solid waste refers to any garbage or refuse. The video mentions that Brazil produces around 80 million tonnes of solid waste annually. Managing this waste effectively is crucial to reduce environmental pollution.

💡Imports

Imports are goods brought into a country from abroad. The video discusses Brazil's high levels of solid waste imports, such as paper and plastic, which are used in recycling processes. This practice is seen as a barrier to increasing domestic recycling rates.

💡Environmental Impact

Environmental impact refers to the effect that human activities have on the environment. The video underscores the significant environmental benefits of improving recycling rates and adopting a circular economy, such as reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.

💡Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles in the Earth's environment, causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems. The video highlights Brazil's role as the fourth largest producer of plastic pollution worldwide, emphasizing the need for better waste management.

💡Tax Policy

Tax policy involves the government levying taxes to influence economic behavior. In 2023, Brazil increased import taxes on waste materials to 18% to discourage imports and promote domestic recycling, aligning with the goals of a circular economy.

💡Waste Management

Waste management involves the collection, transportation, and disposal of garbage. The video addresses the inadequacies in Brazil's waste management system and the need for improved strategies, such as increased recycling and better utilization of waste.

💡Industrial Recycling

Industrial recycling is the process by which industries convert waste materials into new products. The video discusses how some Brazilian industries rely on imported waste materials for recycling, which affects the overall recycling rates in the country.

💡Cooperatives

Cooperatives are organizations owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit. The video features a cooperative of autonomous waste collectors who play a crucial role in recycling processes and emphasizes the need to support and value their contributions.

Highlights

Brazil produces around 880 million tons of waste per year but only recycles 4%.

Both public and private sectors are seeking solutions to address the waste problem.

Experts suggest that one solution is to reuse all waste to replenish industries, known as the circular economy.

In the past 10 years, Brazil imported over 56,000 tons of solid waste.

Domestic material recycling rates remain below necessary levels.

During this period, imports of waste materials like paper increased by over 100% and glass by more than 70%.

Plastic waste imports to Brazil grew by 7.2%.

Imported waste materials are very cheap, and some industries use them in their recycling processes.

This importation hampers the increase of domestic recycling rates.

Brazil ranks fourth in the world for plastic pollution but contributes around 5% to global plastic production.

Approximately 12 million tons of plastic waste are imported annually.

Experts criticize Brazil's high importation of solid waste while struggling to manage its domestic waste.

The circular economy could significantly reduce the 96% of waste that is not currently recycled.

In 2023, the federal government raised import taxes on waste to 18% to discourage importation and promote the circular economy.

Private initiatives, like Heineken's commitment to neutralize carbon emissions by 2040, also focus on recycling efforts.

Heineken's project collected 563 tons of glass, preventing 676 tons of virgin raw material extraction and saving 425 m³ of landfill space.

The project also prevented 265 tons of CO2 emissions.

Eduardo Ferreira de Paula, co-founder of the autonomous waste pickers' cooperative, emphasizes the need for companies to follow similar recycling initiatives.

He highlights the importance of recognizing and compensating waste pickers for their role in the reverse logistics chain.