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Brazil Surprises by Importing 28 Thousand Tonnes of Waste While Its Recycling Cooperatives Suffer. Practice Impacts Economy and Environment.
In a reality that seems straight out of an absurd movie, Brazil, renowned worldwide for its environmental wealth and biodiversity, surprisingly ranks as one of the countries that imports the most waste from abroad.
In just five months this year, the volume of imported waste exceeded 28 thousand tonnes, a number that, in itself, is alarming.
However, as we delve deeper into the issue, the reasons behind this unusual practice and its consequences for the economy, the environment, and local communities reveal an even more concerning scenario.
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According to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC), between January and May 2024, Brazil imported exactly 28.3 thousand tonnes of solid waste, such as paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
These materials, mostly arriving from the United States and Latin American countries, have been cited as an economic choice for Brazilian companies, which prefer to buy from abroad rather than recycle what is generated internally.
The Environmental and Economic Impact of a Controversial Choice
Although the practice is supported by international norms, such as the Basel Convention, which regulates the trade of waste, it raises intense debates in Brazil.
Experts point out that importing waste instead of investing in local recycling negatively affects both the environment and the national economy.
According to the University of São Paulo (USP), the country generates about 80 million tonnes of solid waste annually, but only 4% of that total is recycled. In other words, the internal recycling capacity is immensely underutilized.
Another concerning aspect is the cost of this practice. According to data from MDIC, Brazilian companies spent around US$ 121.7 million on waste imports in the first five months of 2024.
This amount includes US$ 117.4 million for 6.7 thousand tonnes of aluminum, US$ 2.5 million for 11.5 thousand tonnes of paper, US$ 862 thousand for 2.2 thousand tonnes of plastic, and US$ 1.2 million for 7.9 thousand tonnes of glass.
These numbers not only illustrate the magnitude of the expenses but also reveal the lack of incentive for internal recycling to gain strength in the market.
Landfills, Carbon Emissions, and Lack of Traceability
In addition to the economic waste, imported waste brings logistical issues and environmental impact.
As warned by Patrícia Iglesias, an environmental management specialist at USP, the maritime transport of waste is one of the major concerns.
“These materials arrive in Brazil by ship, which contributes to carbon emissions, risk of accidents during transport, and even toxic contamination, in addition to the lack of adequate traceability,” she explains.
The issue worsens when considering the precarious state of waste management in Brazil.
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), 31.9% of municipalities still use landfills as the primary method of waste disposal.
In the North Region, the situation is critical: 73.8% of municipalities operate at least one landfill. This contrasts with the South, where only 5.7% face the same problem.
Bill Projects and Initiatives to Stop Imports
In light of this scenario, legislative initiatives are beginning to gain traction in public debate.
On November 28, the Chamber of Deputies approved Bill 3,944/24, introduced by Federal Deputy Célio Silveira (MDB-GO), which proposes a ban on the import of solid waste.
The proposal, which now goes to the Senate, aims to protect not only the environment but also workers who depend on recycling to survive.
“There is no justification for importing waste when we have recycling cooperatives being harmed and local recyclable materials ending up in landfills,” Silveira argued.
The proposal also seeks to correct historical distortions.
During former President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration, the import tax on waste was eliminated, which contributed to a significant increase in imports between 2019 and 2022.
Now, with the tax adjusted to 18%, the current government is trying to discourage the practice, although the effects are still modest.
The Struggle of Recycling Collectors
For recycling collectors, the fight against waste importation is also a struggle for dignity and recognition.
Roberto Laureano, president of the National Association of Collectors (Ancat), denounces that this practice devalues the work of cooperatives and favors disposal in landfills and sanitary landfills.
“Our materials end up being discarded while foreign waste occupies our market,” he laments.
This devaluation directly affects collectors, who rely on the sale of recyclable materials for their livelihood.
According to data from the Chamber of Deputies, large companies often prefer to import cheaper materials rather than buy from local cooperatives, intensifying the economic difficulties faced by these workers.
The Future of Waste Management in Brazil
Brazil faces a dilemma: while the importation of waste continues to be a controversial practice, the internal recycling infrastructure still leaves much to be desired.
The challenge is not only to expand recycling but also to eliminate landfills and implement effective public policies.
According to the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants should have eliminated their landfills by August 2023, but the reality is quite different.
According to IBGE, 21.5% of these municipalities still use landfills as a final solution.
The survey also reveals that 39.5% of Brazilian municipalities lack selective collection, which represents a major obstacle to sustainable waste management.
In the North, only 33.5% of municipalities practice this, while in the South, 81.9% stand out for separating waste.
What Can We Do to Change This Reality?
In light of this scenario, the question arises: is Brazil prepared to prioritize local recycling and reduce its dependence on imported waste? Society, businesses, and government need to act together to reverse this situation and ensure a more sustainable future.
Tem que saber a origem e o destino desse Lixo, que tipo de Lixo está sendo importado para o Brasil, se for um Lixo radioativo pode contaminar todo meio ambiente, tem que ser aprovada uma Lei em caráter de urgência para impedir a entrada de Lixo no Brasil! 🚨
Nossa, quero deixar bem claro, tudo isso,se os deputados chegarem juntos e, contribuir com o seu , mandato em favor de política seria,em conjunto com os senadores,a favor de reciclagem 100% com emenda Pix com transferência para os municípios brasileiros e cooperativa de reciclagem,muitos, agradeceria.
Gostaria de saber se esses valores apresentados na reportagem estão corretos?