Brazil faces ongoing challenges in urban waste disposal

Brazil continues to face significant challenges regarding the proper disposal of urban solid waste. According to data from the IBGE and the 2024 Panorama of Solid Waste in Brazil, 31.9% of Brazilian municipalities still utilize open-air dumps, which are considered environmentally inadequate.

In 2023, only 58.5% of generated urban solid waste was sent to environmentally appropriate destinations, leaving approximately 41.5% to be disposed of improperly. Experts note that the issue extends beyond final disposal, with irregular discarding occurring frequently in streets, squares, and streams.

Despite these challenges, some municipalities are implementing successful strategies. Initiatives such as containerization—replacing improvised bins or loose bags with standardized, resistant containers—have been adopted in cities like Lençóis Paulista (SP) and Itabira (MG). These methods have contributed to reduced fuel consumption and fewer accidents during collection processes.