PNRS is amended to ban the import of solid waste, with exceptions

In brief

Law No. 15.088, of January 6, 2025, was published, amending Law No. 12.305, of August 2, 2010 (National Solid Waste Policy), to prohibit the import of solid waste and tailings, except in the cases it specifies.

More details

On January 7, 2025, Law No. 15.088 was published, banning the import of solid waste and rejects, including paper, paper derivatives, plastic, glass and metal, by amending Article 49 of the Solid Waste Law. This normative extended/specified the restrictions previously imposed by Law 12.305/2010.

Despite the increase in restrictions, the new wording of Article 49 has two exceptions. The first paragraph of the article establishes that imports of waste used in the transformation of strategic materials and minerals, including long-fiber paper scraps, will be allowed under the terms of the regulation, as well as waste metals and metallic materials.

The second paragraph, in its turn, allows importers and manufacturers of auto parts, with the exception of tires, to import solid waste derived from previously exported domestic products, exclusively for the purposes of reverse logistics and full recycling, even if classified as hazardous.

The new law seeks to encourage more sustainable waste management practices, in particular the stimulation of recycling programs and the circular economy.