Title: Reverse logistics systems for post-consumer packaging in Brazil: obstacles and current panorama

Authors: Ana Ghislane Henriques Pereira van Elk; Leticia Figueiredo da Silva; Marcelo Obraczka

Addresses: University of Oviedo, Calle Principado, No. 3, Planta, 33007, Oviedo, Spain; Sanitary and Environment Engineering Department, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ São Francisco Xavier St., 524/5029-F, 20250-015, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, São Francisco Xavier St., 524/5029-F, 20250-015, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – COPPE, Av. Pedro Calmon, 550, Cidade Universitária Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, 21941-901, Brazil; Sanitary and Environment Engineering Department, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, São Francisco Xavier St., 524/5029-F, 20250-015, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: This article describes the current panorama of reverse logistics applied to post-consumption packaging at the federal level in Brazil, the current reverse logistics systems and the main obstacles and gaps that hinder their implementation are discussed. The study was limited to paper packaging (including boxboard and cardboard), glass, plastic, and metal. The span of the research was from 2010 (when the Brazilian Federal Law that established the National Solid Waste Policy was introduced) up to 2020. The results showed that paper is the material with the highest amount marketed by waste pickers organisations (52%), followed by plastic (22%), glass (17%), other metals (8%), and aluminium (1%). However, when considering the sales of materials, plastic has a greater representation than paper and other metals. Since the responsibility is shared, the RLSs work in a confusing manner, and there are conflicting interests, especially in the case of post-consumer packaging.

Keywords: solid waste; waste management; post consumption packaging; reverse logistics; shared responsibility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.144991

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.36 No.3, pp.352 - 368

Received: 06 Jul 2021
Accepted: 06 Jul 2022
Published online: 17 Mar 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article