English 
Spanish 
4 min read
0 comments
The Northeastern state is the first to eliminate landfills, joining the Federal District in advancing sustainable solid waste management, according to a study by IBGE.
The Northeast has just celebrated a historic feat: the state of Alagoas is the first in the region to completely eradicate landfills in all of its 102 municipalities. This milestone places the state alongside the Federal District as the only regions in Brazil that have achieved the end of landfills. The achievement was announced based on a study by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) released in November 2024, highlighting the importance of proper solid waste management for sustainability.
The end of landfills and the leadership of Alagoas
The eradication of landfills in Alagoas is an example of how well-structured public policies can generate a significant impact. This achievement reinforces the relevance of initiatives focused on environmental management, that transform the quality of life of communities and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
Alagoas also stands out in the management of special solid waste, such as industrial and hospital waste, with 82,4% of municipalities served, exceeding the national average of 81%. The regularization of services in the 102 municipalities places the state as a model for other regions of the Northeast and Brazil.
- Anvisa bans the sale of famous brand powdered milk in all supermarkets in Brazil due to irregularities that put consumers on alert!
- Companies in Japan are offering free housing and college to attract Generation Z amid a low birth rate crisis that is redefining the country's future!
- European industry in collapse: The hidden truth about the waste that exploded in 2018 and still devastates the world
- BNDES and Finep lead R$5 billion financing to boost strategic minerals in Brazil
While Alagoas celebrates, Pernambuco is approaching this milestone, with only one city still using landfills. The trend is that more states will follow the same path, driven by Alagoas' success.
Advances in basic sanitation in Alagoas
Advances in basic sanitation were crucial to ending landfills in Alagoas. According to the IBGE survey, all municipalities have water supply, urban cleaning and solid waste management services. Other indicators are also impressive:
- 81,3% of municipalities have sewage systems;
- 92% of municipalities provide drainage and rainwater management;
- 71 municipalities apply sanctions against the inappropriate disposal of waste.
Despite the progress, challenges persist, especially in areas within the semi-arid region, such as the Drought Polygon. In these regions, climate conditions make it difficult to build the infrastructure needed for drainage and water management.
The challenges that still need to be overcome
Although the state has achieved the elimination of landfills, not all municipalities have robust public policies for sanitation. Only 36,3% of municipalities have a consolidated basic sanitation policy, and 45% have specific action plans. This means that more than half of the cities still lack adequate structure to ensure continued progress.
Another critical point is environmental education. Only 21,57% of municipalities in Alagoas have awareness policies in place, a rate that is below the national average. 30,8%. Educational campaigns, inclusion of environmental themes in the school curriculum and clean-up efforts can make a difference in strengthening the culture of preservation.
Alagoas inspires the Northeast and Brazil
The example of Alagoas demonstrates how it is possible to overcome historical challenges through coordinated actions between the government, the private sector and society. The eradication of landfills reinforces the need for integrated policies and investments in infrastructure to promote more sustainable development.
The Northeast has the opportunity to follow this trend, taking advantage of the moment to consolidate environmental advances in other states. With the completion of new surveys by National Basic Sanitation Survey (PNSB) by 2025, more regions are expected to follow Alagoas’ example.
Alagoas’ historic milestone of becoming the first state in the Northeast to eradicate landfills is a major step forward for environmental management in Brazil. This achievement not only improves the quality of life of the local population, but also serves as inspiration for other states to tackle the challenges of waste disposal.
The eradication of landfills, combined with advances in basic sanitation and environmental awareness, is the path to a cleaner and more sustainable future. The example of Alagoas shows that, even in the face of difficulties, it is possible to transform challenges into opportunities and move towards a greener and healthier Brazil.
