A Central de Custódia, the first Brazilian company authorized by the Ministry of the Environment as a verifier of reverse logistics system results, has established a strategic partnership with ABREE – the Brazilian Association for the Recycling of Electronics and Household Appliances. The objective is to elevate standards of traceability, credibility, and combat greenwashing within the sector, in accordance with the latest government guidelines.
The introduction of reverse logistics results verification in Brazil emerged in 2022, updated by Federal Decree No. 11,413/2023, making the country the first in the world to adopt independent verification as a government standard. The measure establishes standards for traceability through accredited entities, ensuring transparency, impartiality, and combating the practice of misleading environmental advertising.
Central de Custódia holds the largest reverse logistics traceability data system in the country and becomes the pioneer with a system developed specifically for electronics. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to the traceability of the entire reverse logistics chain and to data veracity. Combating greenwashing requires robust and independent tools, and Brazil is at the forefront by regulating this unprecedented verification model in the world,”, states Fernando Bernardes, CEO of Central de Custódia.
ABREE has 52 members representing 173 brands and operates in partnership with approximately 3,500 collection points spread across the national territory. Despite advancements, the sector still faces significant challenges, such as engaging consumers to perform environmentally adequate disposal at collection points and combating informality in waste processing. In this context, traceability and independent verification emerge as key elements to guarantee operational integrity.
“Transparency and traceability are fundamental pillars for the advancement of reverse logistics in Brazil. The partnership with Central de Custódia strengthens this commitment, by offering a solid foundation of verified data that ensures the credibility of results. With this technical support, we expand our capacity to measure impacts, identify improvement opportunities, and ensure that each correctly discarded appliance effectively contributes to an environmentally responsible cycle,”, highlights Robson Esteves, President of ABREE.
According to data from the United Nations (UN), in 2022 a total of 62 million tons of electronic waste was generated. However, only approximately 22.3% of the annual mass of electronic waste was collected and properly recycled. Brazil, as the largest waste generator in South America, contributed 2.4 million tons to the global total.
The partnership between the institutions will enable reverse logistics data to be audited in compliance with the criteria established by the Ministry of the Environment. This also guarantees legal security to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and traders who are part of ABREE's collective reverse logistics system.
