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Sustainability

Solid Waste Management: Reducing Impacts and Promoting Sustainability

Find out how SIMPAR turns challenges into sustainable solutions through solid waste management.

São Paulo, October 2024.

. waste management Solid waste is an extremely important issue in today's world. As the population has grown and consumption has increased, the generation of waste has also grown exponentially. waste management an essential practice to promote sustainability and protect the environment. Effective waste management is crucial to preventing environmental degradation, protecting public health and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources. 

Holdings and groups such as Simpar have invested significantly in waste managementhas recognized the importance of integrating sustainable practices into its operations. Simpar, for example, through its subsidiary Ciclus Ambiental, demonstrates how comprehensive waste management can be implemented effectively, generating economic, social and environmental benefits.  

In this article, we'll explore what waste managementits types, the current scenario in Brazil, and how the Simpar Group has been contributing to the waste management in its operations and through Ciclus Ambiental, one of its subsidiaries.  

What is Waste Management?

. waste management refers to the set of actions designed to manage solid waste from its generation to its final destination, in order to minimize negative impacts on the environment. environment and public health. This includes: 

  • Collection;  
  • Transportation; 
  • Waste treatment and disposal, ensuring that each stage is carried out in accordance with environmental and health regulations. 

. waste management is not just an operational issue; it is also a strategy for reducing environmental impacts and boosting operational efficiency through better waste disposal. A good waste management seeks to maximize the reuse and recycling of materials, minimizing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. 

Waste can be classified in various ways, depending on its origin, composition and hazardousness. For example, domestic, industrial, hospital and commercial waste all have different characteristics and require different approaches to disposal. waste management. In addition, they can be solid, liquid or gaseous, and each type requires specific treatments to avoid environmental contamination. 

Why is Solid Waste Management Important? 

. solid waste management is fundamental for the preservation of environment and the promotion of sustainability economic. When carried out effectively, this management not only prevents soil, water and air contamination, but also reduces public health risks by preventing the proliferation of pests and diseases. 

In addition to the environmental benefits, the integral management solid waste contributes directly to the sustainability economic. Companies that adopt material recycling and reuse practices are able to significantly reduce their operating costs and, in many cases, generate new sources of revenue.  

 . waste management allows companies to operate more efficiently, reducing waste and optimizing resources, which is crucial to maintaining competitiveness in the market. 

Complying with the regulations of the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) not only avoids fines, but also improves the brand's reputation, such as Simpar, which stands out for its sustainable practices and is widely recognized for its responsible actions. Simpar, for example, is listed on the B3's Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) and has the GHG Protocol Gold Sealboth attesting to their commitment to sustainability. In addition, JSL, a company controlled by Simpar, was evaluated with a performance above the global average for the transportation and logistics areas of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)while Movida, another subsidiary, holds the Certification Breinforcing its social and environmental purpose. 

Logos de certificações e reconhecimentos da Simpar, incluindo GHG Protocol Ouro, ISE B3, CDP e Empresa B Certificada.

Types of Waste Management

The different types of waste management are mainly defined by the type of waste generated. Below, we will detail some of the main ones: 

  1. Urban Solid Waste (MSW) Management: this waste is mainly made up of selective collection, recycling and composting, as well as the treatment and final disposal in landfills of materials discarded in homes and commercial establishments, such as packaging, paper, plastic, glass, metals and food waste. A waste management Urban solid waste involves selective collection, recycling and composting, as well as treatment and final disposal in landfills. 
  2. Industrial Waste Management:  Industrial waste is waste generated by manufacturing and production processes. They can be hazardous or non-hazardous, and their management requires strict procedures to avoid contamination of soil, water and air. A waste management The industrial sector includes the reuse of materials, recycling and the proper treatment of hazardous waste. 
  3. Hospital Waste Management: this waste includes materials such as syringes, gauze, biological waste and other items discarded in healthcare facilities. A waste management In order to prevent the spread of disease and protect public health, hospital waste disposal is crucial. It involves the strict segregation of waste, its treatment and proper disposal. Among the materials, we can consider syringes, gauze, biological waste and other items discarded in healthcare facilities. 
  4. Hazardous Waste Management: Hazardous waste is waste that poses significant risks to the environment and human health, such as chemicals, pesticides, batteries and radioactive waste. A waste management hazardous waste includes safe storage, transportation, treatment and disposal in accordance with legal regulations. 
  5. Construction Waste Management: Materials such as concrete, bricks, metals and wood generated during the construction, demolition or renovation of buildings are recycled, reused and properly disposed of. 
  6. Agro-industrial Waste Management: the waste generated by agricultural and agro-industrial activity, such as bark, pomace, crop residues (plant material left in the field after harvesting) and animals, is composted, which generates organic fertilizer, or the production of biogas, which can be used as a source of energy. 

Each of these types of waste management requires a specific approach, based on the characteristics of the waste and legal requirements. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) in Brazil defines clear guidelines for the management of all these types, emphasizing the importance of recycling, reuse and proper treatment. 

Solid Waste Management in Brazil

. waste management Solid waste in Brazil is governed by Law No. 12.305/2010, which establishes the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS). This law is a milestone in waste management in the country, establishing clear responsibilities for public authorities, companies and citizens. The PNRS promotes sustainability and the protection of environment by encouraging the reduction, reuse, recycling and treatment of waste. 

One of the main objectives of the PNRS is to eliminate open dumps, replacing them with proper sanitary landfills where waste is treated safely. The law also promotes integral management waste, encouraging the development of municipal plans of waste management that are integrated and efficient. 

Brazil still faces significant challenges in waste management especially in densely populated urban areas. Many municipalities still rely on inadequate disposal methods, which results in environmental problems such as soil and groundwater contamination. The effective implementation of the PNRS is essential to overcome these challenges and promote the sustainability in the country. 

. waste management Solid waste is a matter of public interest, which requires collaboration between governments, companies and civil society. Municipal plans of waste management play a crucial role in this process, establishing local guidelines for the collection, treatment and final disposal of waste. These plans are essential to ensure that waste is managed efficiently and sustainably, minimizing environmental impacts and promoting public health. 

Ciclus Ambiental: Integrated Waste Management

Simpar, through its subsidiary Ciclus Ambiental, has stood out in the implementation of a integral management and sustainable waste management. Ciclus Ambiental operates in various sectors, including waste management and their operations exemplify how management efficient can be integrated into business strategies to promote the sustainability and protect the environment

Escavadeira operando em um terreno aberto, com área de aterro ao fundo.

. Ciclus Rio, one of the companies that make up Ciclus Ambiental and, consequently, the Simpar Group, is an outstanding example of integrated management of solid waste. The company not only treats the waste but also converts it into biogas and energy, thus generating environmental and economic benefits. This practice is an excellent example of how integral management waste can turn environmental challenges into business opportunities. 

In addition Ciclus Amazônia, which operates in waste management in Belém/PAhas also shown impressive results. More than 140 critical points of irregular disposal were eliminated, representing 60% of the total mapped. The following have already been collected more than 490,000 tons of waste throughout the city since April 2024. The performance of the recycling bins also stands out, with the São Joaquim canal recycling bin processing 15 tons of materials per day, the equivalent of 50 water tanks of 1,000 liters each every two days. In the context of recycling, around 10,000 tires have already been removed from the city streets. 

To meet this growing demand and guarantee the efficiency of the operation, Ciclus Amazônia has 2,300 employeesin addition to a robust infrastructure consisting of 15 mechanized patrols, more than 60 dump trucks e more than 200 machines dedicated to urban collection, weeding, scraping and mowing. 

Through its operations at Ciclus Ambiental, Simpar demonstrates a commitment to sustainability which goes beyond compliance with environmental regulations. The group invests in advanced technologies to continuously improve its manufacturing processes. waste managementthus contributing to the protection of environment and sustainable development.  

Conclusion

. waste management is an essential pillar for sustainability and the protection of environment. Companies and groups such as Simpar, who invest in a integral management are at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices, demonstrating that it is possible to combine economic growth with environmental responsibility. 

By adopting a waste management effective, ranging from reducing waste generation to proper final disposal, Simpar demonstrates in practice how the integral management can benefit companies, society and, above all, the environment. A waste management is not just a matter of legal compliance, but an intelligent strategy to promote the sustainability and guarantee a better future for everyone in every sense: from quality of life and protection of life to the economy. 

Simpar's commitment to integral management waste highlights the importance of investing in technologies and practices that minimize environmental impacts and maximize economic benefits. A waste management is therefore an indispensable practice for sustainable development and the preservation of the environment. environment, offering significant opportunities for companies seeking to grow responsibly and sustainably.