Management of unusable waste in contagem: Reverse logistics practices and the role of ecopoints in tire collection

In the realm of natural resources, there is a growing implementation of actions through circular economy models, aimed at the reduction, reuse, recovery, and recycling of raw materials and energy. One such rising action is reverse logistics, which seeks to reintegrate generated waste into the production cycle, with manufacturers taking on the responsibility for managing final disposal procedures. Regulations are continuously updated to enhance these actions, as demonstrated by the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) and its updates. At the state level, Semad published the Deliberation Normative Copam Nº. 249/2024, which encompasses all sectors required to apply reverse logistics to products and packaging. This decree mandates proof of compliance through affiliation with Bolsa Reciclagem, a Semad program with registered associations and cooperatives. In Minas Gerais, the city of Contagem, supported by the City Hall, implements reverse logistics actions, such as the management of tires and tire waste through Ecopoints. This paper presents a qualitative research aimed at outlining actions for managing end-of-life waste in Contagem, Minas Gerais, in Brazil, particularly in the context of reverse logistics and the final disposal of end-of-life items, such as tires and tire waste. Data collection occurred in 2023, with analysis of municipal, state, and national data based on reports provided by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) in the specific period from 2011 to 2023. The results exposed variations in tire collection across the recorded years. Furthermore, in the context of the theoretical framework, the research highlights the importance of technology and environmental education in waste management, as discussed by Feenberg and Diamond.