Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos no Rio de Janeiro: desafios na implementação das diretrizes

Abstract

Solid waste management represents one of the major socio-environmental challenges facing Brazilian cities, particularly in large urban centers where population growth and excessive consumption intensify waste generation. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), established by Law No. 12,305/2010, proposes a new paradigm for public management, prioritizing public policies focused on non-generation of waste, followed by reduction, reuse, recycling, and proper treatment of waste. However, its implementation faces significant barriers at the municipal level. This study aims to analyze the main challenges in implementing public policies aligned with the PNRS guidelines in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus on applying the Zero Waste concept. The research adopts a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, based on a literature review, document analysis, and a comparative case study between the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis. Additionally, a predictive analysis was developed using an econometric model for time series, which utilizes historical data on solid waste generation and exogenous variables such as collected and recovered mass, associated with municipal solid waste (MSW) expenditure. Data collection involved secondary sources, such as reports from SINIR, IBGE, ABREMA, and normative documents. As a final product, a practical manual for implementing Zero Waste practices in the Carioca context was developed. The results highlight institutional and structural obstacles, such as the fragmentation of responsibilities among federative entities, poor coordination between public policies, the underutilization of economic instruments provided for in the legislation, and the lack of continuous investment in environmental education and social inclusion. The comparative analysis with Florianópolis reveals that advances in waste management are strongly associated with collaborative governance, community engagement, and the empowerment of waste pickers. The data simulation indicates that the adoption of sustainable measures can generate significant savings in municipal management. It is concluded that the effective implementation of the PNRS in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro demands integrated and participatory strategies capable of transforming the linear model of consumption and disposal into a system based on conscious consumption and a circular economy. Strengthening public governance and a commitment to sustainability are key elements to overcoming the challenges of the urban solid waste crisis and promoting socio-environmental justice