The standard is celebrated as progress in including cooperatives and collectors as priorities in the plastic reuse process
Summary
Decree 12.688/2025 establishes plastic recycling objectives, giving priority to cooperatives and collectors, who are waiting to know if they will see an increase in earnings with the new national policy on solid waste.
The establishment, by decree, of the Reverse logistics system for plastic packagingwith rules for reuse, recognizes, for the first time in a structured way, the priority role of cooperatives and associations of waste collectors. The change is positive, according to representatives of the category, but they still have doubts on one issue: workers will earn more?
The new rule sets objectives for the reuse and reintroduction of recycled plastic in new packaging, starting from 2026. “But there must be priority for the inclusion of collectors of recyclable materials in compliance with the decree,” he recalls. Joelson Santanaexecutive coordinator of the Center for Art and the Environment (CAMA), in Salvador (BA).
Remember that these professionals are responsible 90% of everything is sent for recycling in the country. “The effective inclusion and fair remuneration of these professionals is an essential condition for the decree to become a true environmental and social policy, and not just a corporate obligation”. In Bahia there are more than 50 registered cooperatives and associations.
The implementation of the decree will demonstrate whether collectors’ earnings will increase
THE decree 12.688/2025 improves infrastructure and logistics for the collection, recycling and reuse of plastic. Anderson Nassifrepresentative of the National Movement for Collectors of Recyclable Material and director of Reverse Logistics at the National Association of Collectors, celebrates the new norm.
Regarding the possibility that workers earn more, he says that the Movement “will be ready to give, once again, its contribution and obviously defend the interests of our category”. TO Nassifonly the entry into force of the new rule, starting next year, will be able to provide an answer on the increase in waste collectors’ earnings.
The same caution is expressed by Queen Sara31 years old, from Rede Transforma, in Sao Paulo. The Network brings together 500 professionals who collect the recyclable materials sent by Rede Sul, with more than 30 partner cooperatives. “The decree guarantees that we are paying those who should be paid, the collectors. Now whether this material will have a more attractive value, I can’t say.”
Brazil’s goal is to reuse 40% of plastic by 2040
The decree on plastic regulates and strengthens the legislation National Solid Waste Policy establishing obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors and traders regarding the environmentally sound disposal of post-consumer plastic packaging.
According to the text, Brazil is committed to collecting and recycling half of its plastic packaging by 2040. For next year the goal is to 32%. As for plastic reuse, Brazil’s goal is to stop it 22% to reach the mark of 40% by 2040.
The new decree creates national objectives for the collection, recycling and use of recycled plastic and establishes that companies must invest in voluntary delivery points and in partnerships with cooperatives. “Of course, until the decree comes into force we are worried, but we believe it is progress,” says Sarah, from Transform the network.
Source: Terra
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