Brazilian municipalities debate waste collection tax reforms

In Francisco Beltrão, a municipal proposal to amend the law governing the waste‑collection levy – currently added to water bills – was withdrawn from the agenda for 120 days after a heated council debate. Councilors Tiago Correa and Cidão Barbiero argued the new calculation method caused “unfair and abusive” increases for many households and called for broader community input, saying, “The alteration we are proposing is the result of the clamor of our population.”

In Caraguatatuba, the state public prosecutor gave the city council 48 hours to submit technical and financial studies justifying an exemption from the same waste tax, warning that waiving the levy could constitute an illegal fiscal renunciation. The prosecutor cited federal and municipal laws that require the charge for “divisible public services” such as waste collection to ensure cost recovery and fiscal sustainability.