Jornal Nacional - Aumentou a quantidade de lixo produzida por habitante, no Brasil

Summary

Brazil's waste generation has significantly increased, with each person producing an average of 382 kg of waste annually. While the Southeast region generates the most waste, recycling remains low, with only 8% of waste being properly recycled. Informal waste pickers play a major role in recycling efforts, yet more progress is needed. The country continues to struggle with landfills and illegal dumpsites, with 41% of waste ending up in them. However, initiatives like the Rio de Janeiro eco-park, which generates energy from organic waste, show the potential for a circular economy to reduce waste and harness its value.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brazil's waste generation increased by 80 million tons in just one year, reaching an average of 382 kg per person in 2023.
• 😀 The Southeast region is the largest producer of waste in Brazil, while the South region generates the least.
• 😀 Despite improvements, recycling remains low in Brazil, with 88% of waste not being recycled.
• 😀 Only one-third of Brazil's recycling efforts are handled by official collection services, while most is collected by informal waste pickers.
• 😀 The increase in recycling is driven by the expansion of selective waste collection and informal waste pickers' cooperatives.
• 😀 Brazil lags behind other countries like Chile, which has a recycling rate of 14-15%, while some countries reach 25-30%.
• 😀 Over 50% of Brazil's waste ends up in landfills, while 41% is discarded in illegal dumps, or 'lixões'.
• 😀 Lixões, open-air dump sites, continue to be a major environmental issue in Brazil and should have been phased out by August 2023.
• 😀 Brazil is ranked fifth globally in waste generation, with 40% of its waste ending up in illegal dumpsites.
• 😀 Circular economy initiatives, like the eco-park in Rio, showcase the potential of using waste to generate electricity and promote sustainability.

Q & A

What is the total amount of waste produced per person in Brazil in 2023?

In 2023, the average amount of waste generated per person in Brazil was 382 kg.

Which region of Brazil generates the most waste?

The Southeast region is the largest producer of waste in Brazil, both in total and per capita.

What is the role of informal waste pickers in Brazil's recycling efforts?

Informal waste pickers are responsible for the majority of recycling in Brazil, handling most of the material that gets recycled.

How much of Brazil's waste is officially recycled?

Only about one-third of the recycled waste in Brazil comes from official selective collection services.

What progress has Brazil made in terms of recycling?

Brazil's recycling rate has increased from 3.5% to 8%, which is a significant improvement, although still low compared to other countries.

How does Brazil compare to neighboring countries like Chile in terms of recycling rates?

Brazil's recycling rate is much lower than Chile's, with Chile achieving 14-15%, while other countries reach 25-30%.

What percentage of Brazil's waste is sent to landfills or illegal dumps?

More than half of Brazil's waste (69.3 million tons) goes to sanitary landfills, while 41% is disposed of in illegal dumps, which are supposed to be eliminated by August 2025.

Why are illegal dumps still a significant problem in Brazil?

Illegal dumps continue to exist due to a lack of proper waste management systems in many municipalities, with three out of ten municipalities still relying on them.

How do waste mismanagement and illegal dumps affect the environment?

Improperly disposed waste pollutes rivers, contaminates groundwater, harms public health, and represents a missed opportunity for resource recovery.

What is an example of a successful waste management initiative in Brazil?

One successful example is the Ecopark in Rio de Janeiro, where methane gas from organic waste is used to generate electricity, demonstrating the potential for a circular economy.