New recycling rules cover batteries and fire-fighting heated tobacco devices

Ministério of Meio Ambiente and Ministério of Economia, Comércio and The measure, which will have practical implications in 2026, seeks to strengthen the correct disposal system and promote the circular economy in the country.

The decision was formalized after an “Assessment and Revisão of Sistema of Reciclagem of Pequenos Eletrodomésticos”, document prepared by the two ministries on October 24, 2025.

Four product categories have been officially added to the list of items eligible for recycling under the law, representing a significant advance in environmental policy. This expansion is expected to bring substantial benefits to both the environment and public safety.

The inclusion of these items in recycling legislation is a direct response to emerging problems related to inappropriate disposal, especially regarding products with lithium-ion batteries. The initiative signals a government commitment to modernizing waste management practices and aligning the country with the best international sustainability practices.

Expansion Abrangente in Legislação of Reciclagem

Ordem of Gabinete will be revised to formalize the addition of the four new items to the list of small electronic devices that can be recycled. Essa change explicitly categorizes heated tobacco devices, electronic cigarettes, cell phone batteries, and portable power sources under existing legislation.

With the new inclusion, products collected by municipalities will be sent to companies certified in recycling small household appliances. Esta change is fundamental, as it eliminates the need for specific authorization to collect, transport and dispose of these items as common waste, standardizing and optimizing recycling routes. The streamlined process is designed to increase efficiency in the recycling value chain, ensuring valuable materials are recovered and reused.

Prevention of Acidentes and Risco of Baterias of Lítio

The main motivation behind adding new items to the recycling list is the alarming increase in fires caused by products containing lithium-ion batteries. Estes components, present in a wide range of electronics, pose a significant risk when incorrectly disposed of in landfills or incinerators.

Data from Small Household Appliance Recycling Association revealed that 312 fires occurred in facilities operated by certified companies in fiscal year 2024, a number that has grown worryingly. The instability of these batteries, if damaged or exposed to high temperatures, can lead to short circuits and exothermic reactions known as “thermal runaway”, resulting in fires that are difficult to control.

The measure aims to prevent contamination of other waste and, crucially, reduce the risk of fires in non-combustible waste disposal facilities. Disposing of these items mixed with organic waste or other recyclables creates an environment conducive to ignitions, endangering workers and increasing the operating costs of waste treatment plants.

The protection of waste management infrastructure and the safety of the professionals involved are priorities. By directing these items to specific recycling streams, the government seeks to mitigate a problem that has generated material damage and risks to life.

The Desafio of the Coleta and the Meta Nacional

Another primary objective of the new regulation is to boost the circulation of resources within the country, a pillar of the circular economy. Atualmente, the number of small household appliances collected is below the established target. In fiscal 2024, only about 87,000 tons were collected, contrasting with the annual target of 140,000 tons.

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To reverse this scenario, the government plans to intensify collection efforts, including the newly added items. Além In addition, direct collection points in electronics stores will be reinforced and delivery services will be expanded to facilitate disposal by consumers. The expectation is that, with more options and greater awareness, the population will participate more actively.

The deadline for achieving the collection target has been reset to fiscal year 2029, providing additional time for policies and infrastructure to adapt and produce results. Essa extension reflects the complexity and scale of the challenge of mobilizing a nation to effectively recycle electronic waste.

Promoting Economia Circular and Sustentabilidade

The basic policy of Lei of Reciclagem of Pequenos Eletrodomésticos will be updated to include more robust measures to promote the recycling and reuse of plastics and important mineral resources. Esta comprehensive approach aims not only at safe disposal but also at maximum recovery of valuable materials, reducing dependence on virgin raw materials and minimizing the environmental impact of extraction.

The circular economy, the central concept of this initiative, seeks to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible, reintroducing them into the production chain. Recycling plastics from electronics reduces the need to produce new plastics, which consume large amounts of energy and fossil resources, in addition to mitigating pollution from plastic waste.

The recovery of precious metals and rare earths, found in batteries and other electronic components, is of great strategic and economic importance. Esses minerals, which are often scarce and difficult to extract, have a high market value and are crucial for the manufacture of new technologies. The internal recycling of these resources strengthens the country’s industrial autonomy and reduces vulnerability to price fluctuations in the global market. The initiative represents a fundamental step towards a more sustainable and resilient future, where waste is seen as resources.

The Papel of the Municípios and Empresas Certificadas

The redefinition of the guidelines highlights the crucial role of municipalities in the collection process and of certified companies in the recycling stage. Municipalities are the gateway to the system, responsible for structuring selective collection and voluntary delivery points for these small electronics. Eles must ensure that collection infrastructure is accessible and efficient for citizens.

Once collected, the items are transferred to duly certified recycling companies, which have the technology and knowledge to dismantle and process the materials in an environmentally correct and safe way. Certification ensures that these companies follow rigorous safety and sustainability standards, preventing contamination and maximizing material recovery. Este integrated system creates a safe and legal route for treating electronic waste.

Awareness and Participação Cidadã

For the new measures to be successful, public awareness is an essential factor. Campanhas educational institutions need to inform citizens about the risks of incorrectly disposing of lithium-ion batteries and the benefits of recycling electronics, encouraging everyone’s active participation. Collaboration between government, private sector and civil society is essential to achieve the ambitious goals set.