Brazil generates around 78.4 million tons of solid waste per year and 70% of the municipalities have some type of collective collection. However, public cleaning services cannot cover even half of the waste produced. The result of incorrect disposal of products that have recycling potential causes damage to the environment and human health.
Much has been discussed to indicate solutions capable of reducing waste generated by packaging, framing the sector in the requirements of the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS). An example of effective action is Prolata, an association created by Abeaço, focused on the correct disposal of steel cans for recycling. Prolata was the first management entity for reverse packaging logistics recognized by the Ministry of the Environment. In addition to having almost 40 Voluntary Delivery Points (PEVs) across the country, Prolata now mobilizes more than 50 recyclable material collectors' cooperatives, has 6 partner warehouses and 1 own receiving center for large volumes. Since the founding of the association in 2012, almost 33,000 tons of steel have been collected and recycled.
Prolata's goal is to create conditions for the steel can recycling chain to be completed, involving can manufacturers, product manufacturers, cooperatives, end consumers and the steel industry. Today, 100% of the packaging collected by Prolata is recycled by a single partner steelworks. But the initiative seeks more partnerships in the steel industry.
The recycling model instituted by Prolata was inspired by the cases of Sweden and Switzerland, successful countries not only in their recycling rates, which reach 82% in the case of steel cans, but also in the models instituted, which generate efficiency and the sharing of responsibility among all the links in the chain. The recycling model that Prolata is adopting in Brazil was established after rigorous benchmark work in European countries.
Although Germany, for example, recycles 96% from post-consumer cans, the model adopted is based on an extremely expensive reverse logistics standard managed by for-profit companies. In Sweden, a system was established in which the production chain has to create conditions for the consumer to deposit their packages voluntarily, already separating them by category, which makes the system efficient and reduces the cost. In addition, in Sweden the manager has no profit purpose.
However, actions like this will not be possible if we do not motivate the consumer to collaborate. Many consumers purchase products packaged in materials that are not recyclable. It is fundamental that consumers understand that taking products packaged in recyclable and recycled materials, such as steel, is an economy for the whole society.
