Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in Brazil: Drivers and best practices towards to circular economy based on European Union and BSI

Abstract

Public policies, incentives, and infrastructure in MSWM are top-down instruments that can support a circular economy. This article aims to identify the factors that influence the recovery of materials and best practices (BPs) of the most efficient municipalities in Brazil, and evaluated the alignment with brazilian legislation and european guidelines (Green Deal and British Standards Institution). This research includes a multiple linear regression, case studies and documentary research. The 30 identified BPs in Brazil have 63% compliance with the Brazilian law and only 23% with principles european recommendation. The high level of adherence of municipal practices with Brazilian legislation is observed in the generation, sorting and final disposal phases; however, in the collection process, practices meet only 29% of legal requirements. When compared to the high level required by BSI and Green Deal, which should be a standard to be followed in this country's future, there is much to be done in all stages, but mainly in the final destination, where incineration and landfills are regarded as the final strategy, undermining the circular economy in Brazil.Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version).