Brazil has taken a significant step towards refining its environmental and economic policies with the publication of a new decree on solid waste import. This crucial legislation redefines the parameters for importing solid waste into Brazil, introducing quotas for certain materials. The move, which revokes a previous decree, is a direct response to appeals from recyclable material collectors (catadores) and aims to strike a balance between industrial needs and the promotion of a robust circular economy.
This updated Brazil solid waste import decree is set to bring much-needed clarity and support to a critical sector, ensuring that the nation’s recycling efforts are prioritized.
Regulating for a Greener Future: The Core Objectives
The primary goal of the new decree is to regulate the first paragraph of Article 49 of the National Solid Waste Policy. This article pertains to the importation of waste materials intended for transformation into strategic materials and minerals vital for national development. Significantly, Article 49 was amended by Law 15.088, of January 6, 2025, which introduced exceptions to the general prohibition on importing solid waste.
After extensive consultations involving multiple government ministries and national representatives of waste picker organizations, the federal government finalized the new text. It is designed to provide stability for the industry without negatively impacting the livelihoods of waste pickers or hindering the progress of the circular economy.
Protecting Local Livelihoods and Boosting Domestic Recycling
A key outcome anticipated from this new Brazilian waste import regulation is a substantial reduction – estimated at over 90% – in the importation of materials that form the backbone of income for Brazilian waste pickers. These materials include:
- Cardboard
- Glass
- PET plastic
- Aluminum
- Iron
By limiting imports of these commonly recycled materials, the decree aims to increase demand for domestically collected and processed recyclables, thereby supporting the income and activity of thousands of waste pickers across the country. The measure also establishes clear technical, economic, and environmental criteria for any future waste imports.
Oversight and Management of Waste Imports
The Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Trade (GECEX) will play a pivotal role. In specific instances, GECEX will be empowered to establish quantitative limits for the import of these residues. This will be done in consultation with at least two key bodies:
- The National Forum on Circular Economy
- The Interministerial Committee for the Socioeconomic Inclusion of Collectors of Reusable and Recyclable Materials (CIISC)
To effectively address the complexities of this issue, the National Forum on Circular Economy will form a working group comprising leaders from waste picker organizations, recycling companies, industry stakeholders, and relevant ministries. Similarly, the CIISC will also establish a dedicated working group for this purpose.
Restrictions on Recycling Credits for Imported Waste
A significant stipulation within the new decree is the prohibition on using various recycling credit certificates for imported waste. Specifically, the decree bans the use of:
- Reverse Logistics Recycling Credit Certificates
- Certificates for Structuring and Recycling Packaging in General
- Future Mass Credit Certificates
These financial instruments are now explicitly restricted to waste generated within Brazilian territory, further incentivizing the domestic recycling chain.
Next Steps: A Detailed Portaria on the Horizon
To provide further clarity and operational details, a joint ordinance is expected to be published imminently. This will be a collaborative effort by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, the Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic, and the Civil House.
This upcoming Portaria will specify which materials, if any, may be imported, and which, even if authorized, will be subject to quotas established by GECEX. The involved ministries have committed to finalizing and publishing this crucial follow-up regulation without delay.
This new Brazil solid waste import decree marks a pivotal moment for Brazil’s environmental policy, demonstrating a commitment to supporting its local recycling heroes, fostering a true circular economy, and ensuring that industrial development aligns with sustainable practices.