Mexico & Brazil

Brazil

Brazil generated 81.6 million tonnes of municipal waste in 2024, and 40.3% was improperly disposed of; almost 3,000 open dumps are estimated to still receive waste after the legal deadline expired in August 2024. In 2024, 784,112 t of scrap tires were disposed of (94.92% of the target), but only 3.25% went to pyrolysis, versus 41% to cement co-processing. The 2025/26 sugarcane crop is estimated at about 669 million tonnes.

Regulatory framework

The rules that shape the business

Lei 12.305/2010; Regulamento: Decreto 10.936/2022 2010 In force

Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos (PNRS)

Sets the waste hierarchy, shared responsibility and mandatory reverse logistics for tires, among other streams; allows energy recovery where viability is proven and emissions are monitored.

View regulation · planalto.gov.br

CONAMA 416 2009 In force

Resolução CONAMA 416/2009 (pneus inservíveis)

Requires manufacturers and importers to properly dispose of one scrap tire for every new tire sold in the replacement market, with annual reporting to IBAMA.

View regulation · gov.br

CONAMA 316 2002 In force

Resolução CONAMA 316/2002 (tratamento térmico de resíduos)

Sets procedures, criteria and emission limits for operating thermal waste-treatment systems.

View regulation · legisweb.com.br

Portaria Interministerial 274 (MMA/MDR/MME) 2019 In force

Portaria Interministerial 274/2019 (recuperação energética de RSU)

Recognises energy recovery from municipal waste as adequate final disposal when technical, environmental and economic viability and emissions monitoring are demonstrated; regulates energy-recovery plants.

View regulation · felsberg.com.br

Lei 15.042/2024; Decretos 12.677/2025 e 12.768/2025 2024 In force

Sistema Brasileiro de Comércio de Emissões de GEE (SBCE)

Regulated cap-and-trade market for installations emitting over 25,000 tCO2e/year (reporting from 10,000); verified credits (CRVEs) can be used for compliance and link the voluntary and regulated markets.

View regulation · gov.br

Lei 14.993/2024 2024 In force

Lei do Combustível do Futuro

Creates mandates for biomethane (from 2026), green diesel and SAF (1% in 2027 rising to 10% in 2037) and defines synthetic fuels under ANP regulation.

View regulation · demarest.com.br

Context

The residue, in figures

81,6 Mt

Municipal solid waste generated

2024 · poder360.com.br

40,3%

Share improperly disposed

2024 · poder360.com.br

784.111,58 t (meta 826.062,98 t; 94,92%)

Scrap tires disposed (CONAMA 416)

2024 · gov.br

41,06% / 29,01% / 26,68% / 3,25%

Tire destination: co-processing / granulation / lamination / pyrolysis

2024 · gov.br

668,8 Mt

Sugarcane output (CONAB 2025/26 estimate)

2025 · novacana.com

Incentives

SBCE (Law 15,042/2024): verified credits (CRVEs), including those converted from the voluntary market, can be used for regulated compliance. The Fuel of the Future Law creates mandatory demand for biomethane, green diesel and SAF. Ordinance 274/2019 gives legal certainty to energy recovery from municipal waste. Specific tax exemptions (e.g. REIDI) and free zones: not verified.

Which technology fits Brazil

Priority feedstock: Scrap tires (CONAMA 416 reverse logistics) in pyrolysis; municipal waste and sugarcane biomass in gasification.
Why: Brazil already disposes of about 784,000 t/year of tires under legal obligation, yet only 3.25% goes to pyrolysis, and the pending closure of almost 3,000 open dumps opens room for the municipal-waste energy recovery recognised by Ordinance 274/2019.

PYR

Pyrolysis

From end-of-life tires to products with a market.

Learn more GAS

Gasification

Syngas for on-site power and heat.

Learn more

Sources consulted

Reference information compiled from public sources as of October 2026. It is not legal advice; confirm each regulation is current before making decisions.

Verification level: High

Other countries in the region

Mexico

Projects and proposals

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