Cans return from the trash to the shelf in 60 days; country has been in a row for 16 years with a reuse rate above 96%
On a game day at the Maracanã stadium, in Rio, it is common to see a number of fans who enjoy the last meters before the magazine points to consume drinks in beer and soda cans, prohibited items to enter the stadium. Even before people do the job of throwing the can on the dumpsters, practically an army of waste pickers already collects the residue.
This concentrated effort of the pickers, many of them in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability, makes the country reach, for years, very high level of cans recycling. In 2024, the level was 97.3%, according to data released on Thursday (14.ago.2025).
The balance is from the non -profit association created and maintained by manufacturers and aluminum cans recyclers, which seeks to improve the recycling industry. According to the institution, Brazil reached 16 years in a row with reuse rate above 96%.
In 2022, the index reached 100.1%, ie, in the year, more crooked than the number marketed. In 2023, the level was 99.7%.
Last year, 33.9 billion of the 34.8 billion cans were reused. After they go to the trash, these containers are back on the shelves in 60 days.
Reverse logistics
According to the Executive Secretary of Recicla Latas, Renato Paquet, the Brazilian reverse logistics system stands out for its consistency: “Even in challenging years, we have been able to maintain high rates, which demonstrates the strength of the articulation between the various links in the chain,” it says.
Reverse logistics, that is, manufacturers are responsible for the return of waste created by its products, is determined in the law, also called the National Solid Waste Policy.
Recicla Latas operates in partnership with the (Brazilian Aluminum Association) and the (Brazilian Aluminum Tin Association).
The president of Abal, Janaina Donas, says that Brazil is a global reference in circular economy and that manufacturers see in recycling more than one environmental solution, “But a strategy of competitiveness, safety of supply and an essential path for the decarbonization of our sector”.
For the president of Abralatas, Catilo Candido, it is also “From a structured chain that generates income and opportunities in all regions of the country”.
Picker
The National Wastecators Movement estimates that the country has about 800,000 collectors of recyclable materials.
In 2020, a term of commitments between Abralatas, Abal and MMA (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change) was signed. In addition to initiatives to keep the high level of recycling, the document determines producers’ investment to improve the income and life of the pickers.
Aluminum Cans Recycling Center
The President of Ancat (National Paths Association), Roberto Rocha, told Agência Brasil that one of the ways to improve the quality of life of waste pickers is that, in addition to the remuneration for the material delivered to recycling, the pickers are also paid for the collection of collection itself. “No one pays for recovery or collecting this cans disposal”he explains.
The association’s proposal is that, with the participation of the private initiative. “What is missing to improve and dignify, improve the quality and service of waste pickers is that we can have a large payment program for the service provided by collecting aluminum cans”claims Rocha, who also asks that autonomous waste pickers – not linked to cooperatives – also benefit from policies proposed by reverse logistics law.
With information from.
