Brazil Waste Sector Methane Analysis Factsheet

The document analyzes methane emissions from Brazil's waste sector, noting that in 2022, the sector contributed 15% of total national methane emissions, with 68% of those stemming from solid waste disposal. It outlines the institutional framework, including the National Solid Waste Policy and the Basic Sanitation Legal Framework, while highlighting significant challenges such as low recycling rates (4%) and the continued use of open dumps (26% of collected municipal solid waste). The factsheet proposes opportunities for mitigation through improved organic waste treatment, methane recovery systems at landfills, and the development of waste-fee systems to finance infrastructure.

• In 2022, the waste sector accounted for 15% of Brazil's total methane emissions, with approximately 68% of these emissions originating from solid waste disposal, including managed and unmanaged sites and open dumpsites. Furthermore, methane constitutes an average of 97% of all greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector.
• Brazil's municipal solid waste (MSW) management is characterized by high collection rates (91% of the population) but low segregation (36%) and recovery rates. Only 4% of waste is recovered for recycling and treatment, with organic waste making up 1% of that total. Regarding final disposal, 70% of collected MSW goes to sanitary landfills, 26% to open dumps and uncontrolled landfills, and 9% is not collected, leading to illegal dumping or burning.
• The document identifies several systemic barriers to methane reduction, including a fragmented waste management approach, data gaps, and financial hurdles such as a lack of waste-fee systems to cover running costs and new infrastructure. Additionally, there is a lack of skilled workforce and insufficient regulations regarding landfill operations and methane usage.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Brazil Waste Sector Methane Analysis Factsheet. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/17124424/brazil-waste-sector-fact-sheet.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Brazil Waste Sector Methane Analysis Factsheet. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/17124424/brazil-waste-sector-fact-sheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Brazil Waste Sector Methane Analysis Factsheet |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/17124424/brazil-waste-sector-fact-sheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendbrazil, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Brazil Waste Sector Methane Analysis Factsheet}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/17124424/brazil-waste-sector-fact-sheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }