The (de)valuation of solid waste in developing countries: The Brazilian case (2012–2022) after the national solid waste policy

Inadequate solid waste management is a global problem, especially in urban areas of developing countries. This problem is worse in countries like Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world with the sixth largest population. Data on waste management in Brazil is produced periodically by two main institutions, one public (SNIS, National Sanitation Information System), linked to the Federal Government, and the other private (ABREMA, Brazilian Waste and Environment Association). Therefore, this study shows the waste management in Brazil, analyzing the Brazilian scenario based on historical series published by SNIS and ABREMA for the 2012–2022 period. The data were compared between both institutions to analyze the evolution of waste management in Brazil over a decade regarding other countries (Latin America and the Caribbean, European Union and BRICS, China, Asia, and the USA). The indicators show the interference of Brazilian municipal management systems and the difficulty of articulation between the different segments of society. Selective collection programs and processing units are not capable of increasing the reuse rates of recyclable materials in Brazil. Landfills are still active in some regions and the logistics of the recycling chain depends fundamentally on formal and informal waste collectors, who work under extremely vulnerable conditions. Therefore, increasing recovery rates for recyclable materials fundamentally depends on the inclusion of waste collectors in regular and formal systems and, consequently, on public-private partnerships and regulations that recognize and guarantee the rights of this labor group. Likewise, for the PNRS to be effectively implemented, the planned actions and targets must be periodically monitored by the competent public authorities. • Brazil's waste recovery remains below 3 % despite decade-old solid waste policy. • Landfills still receive 30 % of discarded waste violating policy deadlines. • Selective collection operates in less than 30 % of Brazilian municipalities. • Waste collectors are essential but work under extremely vulnerable conditions. • Regional disparities hinder effective waste management coordination nationwide.