ABREN (Brazilian Association of Energy from Waste) expressed its rejection of Bill No. 5.269/2025, authored by Congressman Ivan Valente (PSOL-SP), which is being processed in the Chamber of Deputies and proposes the prohibition of energy recovery technologies of the “mass burn” type, the basis of the WtE (Waste-to-Energy) model, which transforms urban solid waste into electricity.
According to the organization, the proposal represents a technical, legal, and environmental setback, ignores scientific data and international commitments made by Brazil, and contradicts the National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12.305/2010) and the Planares (National Solid Waste Plan). ABREN also warns that, if approved, the measure will keep the country dependent on landfills and sanitary landfills, increasing methane emissions and impacts on public health.
In his justification, Representative Valente stated that “the residual ash generated in these processes contains hazardous substances and requires controlled disposal, generating new environmental liabilities in Class 1 Sanitary Landfills, which are more expensive and whose availability is limited in the country, making this disposal even more expensive and unviable on a large scale.”
However, ABREN emphasized that the congressman's justification doesn't hold water. "Contrary to what the bill states, Energy Recovery Units don't replace recycling, but rather complement it. Countries with the highest recycling rates are also those that use the waste-to-energy system the most to treat non-recyclable waste," stated Yuri Schmitke, president of ABREN.
Risk of environmental setback and conflict with national policies
According to the association, the bill is unconstitutional because it attempts to prohibit a technology recognized by federal law as an appropriate way to treat non-recyclable waste. Article 9 of the National Solid Waste Policy and the Planares program establish targets for the implementation of energy recovery plants totaling 994 MW by 2040, with the potential to reduce 15 million tons of waste sent to landfills annually.
ABREN also highlighted that modern WtE plants feature advanced emissions control systems capable of eliminating 99,9% of harmful particles, replacing fossil-fuel-powered thermoelectric plants. "Brazil cannot return to a past of landfills and disease. Banning technological advancement is burying the country's sustainable future," Schmitke concluded.
Energy Recovery Unit in the world
ABREN reported that energy recovery plants are more environmentally friendly alternatives for the disposal of urban solid waste compared to landfills and sanitary landfills.
According to the Panorama of Solid Waste in Brazil, 41% of urban solid waste is still sent to unsuitable landfills and dumps, which generate methane (CH₄), a greenhouse gas 86 times more potent than CO₂ in the short term.
Currently, there are more than 3 such plants worldwide, including 1 ERUs in China, which account for 75% of the country's municipal waste treatment and have achieved one of the largest global reductions in methane from waste. In Germany, there are 100 plants, which treat 20 million tons of waste per year, generating the equivalent of 3,7% of the country's energy matrix.
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