Brazil committed to reduce between 59% and 67% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 during COP29. In a scenario where the country discards 2.4 billion kilograms of electronic waste per year, according to the E-Waste Monitor, implementing reverse logistics will be an important strategy to achieve these goals.
Material reuse, combined with reducing waste sent to landfills, directly contributes to decreasing the extraction of natural resources and emissions, aligning the country with global climate targets.
An environmental and economic challenge
The telecommunications sector is among the largest generators of electronic waste in Brazil. Used modems, routers, and decoders, for example, contribute to tons of discarded materials annually. Reverse logistics offers an alternative. Through collection, sorting, reconditioning, and recycling processes, these devices reenter the production chain, promoting circular economy.
Carlos Tanaka, founder of PostalGow, explains: “Reconditioning extends the useful life of equipment, reducing the need to manufacture new products and, consequently, the environmental impact associated with raw material extraction.”
Technological integration for increased efficiency
PostalGow is one of the companies leading reverse logistics initiatives in the telecommunications sector. With over 9,000 collection points in Brazil, the company utilizes technology to track every stage of the process.
The DevolvaFácil platform, created by PostalGow, integrates ERP systems of client companies, allowing efficient management and real-time monitoring.
“Technology is an important ally in reverse logistics. Integrated systems ensure traceability, efficiency, and transparency, from collection to disposal or material reuse,” details Tanaka.
At PostalGow Distribution Centers, equipment undergoes automated screenings that identify items suitable for reconditioning or recycling. This reduces losses and increases material reuse, contributing to the reduction of emissions associated with disposal and production of new products.
Contribution to climate goals
Reverse logistics also helps Brazil meet the targets established at COP29 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in various stages. Reconditioning electronic equipment, for example, requires less energy than manufacturing new devices. Recycling allows the reuse of metals and plastics, reducing dependence on natural resource extraction.
According to studies from the University of Sao Paulo (USP), material reuse can save up to 20% in production costs and significantly reduce industrial emissions. In addition, efficient collection practices prevent waste from being sent to landfills, where they generate gases like methane, which has a high impact on global warming.
The future of reverse logistics in Brazil
With stricter regulations and ambitious climate goals, reverse logistics is expected to gain even more relevance in the coming years. PostalGow is expanding its operations, investing in new technologies, and increasing its network of collection points and Distribution Centers.
“We are ready to help Brazil meet its climate goals, promoting a more circular and sustainable economy. Our commitment is to turn electronic waste into opportunities for the market and the planet,” Tanaka concludes.
