Waste management is a material topic for Bracell’s sustainability management, encompassing circular aluminum, reducing waste generation and minimizing landfilling.

In 2023, Bracell announced its set of long-term sustainability targets and commitments titled “Bracell 2030”, which includes specific Delivering Sustainable Growth targets:

90% reduction in industrial solid waste sent to landfills per ton of product;

97% chemical  recovery in  our operations

Bracell’s approach to waste management is based on three circular bioeconomy principles:

• Reduce waste generated in the process;
• Re-utilize materials whenever possible; and
• Recycle waste in partnership with third parties where waste reduction or reuse is not possible.

Our Waste Management Policy aligns with the Brazilian National Waste Management Policy (PNRS). We ensure compliance at all times with our Environmental Policy and Waste Management Plan (PGRS). Waste is among the KPIs that is tracked within our Integrated Management System and reported to employees throughout the year so they can keep up to date on our performance.

 

In our Bahia operations, 85% of waste materials are recycled (either sold or donated) and the remainder is reprocessed. We sell bark, short logs and chipping residues as a renewable fuel to generate electricity in replacement of fossil fuels, helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. All waste materials from forestry operations (nurseries, cultivation, harvesting, fleets, R&D, roads, loading, etc.) are transported and temporarily stored at Waste Depots located at our headquarters in Alagoinhas and at the Quatis (Entre Rios) and Salgado (Inhambupe) farms. Waste materials are then compliantly disposed of according to the type of waste, as follows:

1. Recycling cooperatives: for paper, plastic and wood;
2. Reverse logistics: for pesticide packaging;
3. Sale: for metal scrap, lubricants and bags;
4. Class I landfills: for hazardous waste;
5. Class II landfills: four regular waste;
6. Autoclave: for other waste.

In São Paulo, waste generated in forestry operations is sorted and locally disposed of in each municipality. In areas near our Lençóis Paulista mill, waste materials are collected and sent to the mill and from there to their intended disposal locations depending on the type of waste.

There were no significant waste-related impacts identified in 2023.

Potential impacts associated with waste materials generated in our pulp production process include the use of land for landfills. To minimize potential land-use impacts, Bracell seeks to reduce the amount of waste it generates in its operations through practices to improve eco-efficiency (read more in GRI 3-3).

At our mill in São Paulo, in 2023 we expanded our research efforts to develop new circular models and reduce the amount of waste generated in our operations, especially with the expansion of production output following the commissioning of our two new flexible lines.

In our forestry operations, our Waste Management Plan establishes requirements for classifying, segregating, collecting, storing and transporting waste materials generated in forestry operations, ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements while improving sustainability performance. Our forestry machinery is equipped with environmental emergency kits to contain any oil leaks. Preventive maintenance checklists include environmental requirements on managing waste. Bracell also has practices in place for reducing the amount of waste we generate.

Repurposing bark and sawdust

Bark and sawdust can be repurposed as fuel for furnaces in replacement of fossil fuels (natural gas). It can also reduce our waste storage footprint (landfills). Waste materials left over from this process, for which alternative applications are not currently available, are disposed of in an environmentally safe manner depending on their hazard class.

Woodchip preparation

Appropriate clone selection and forest management and harvesting techniques help to ensure that our pulpwood logs have minimal bark and can be optimally used in production. This reduces waste in the woodchip preparation stage and the screener stage of the fiber line.

Use of lime mud

Lime mud generated in the chemical recovery process is re-utilized in the lime kiln, which also helps to reduce the amount of inputs consumed in this process.

In 2023, Bracell generated a total of 439,435.02 tons of waste in its operations – total of 314,559.68 tons were generated in São Paulo and 124,875.34 tons in Bahia. The waste generation includes forestry and industrial operations. Regarding hazardous waste (class I), Bracell generated 563.48 tons, corresponding to 0.83%. Considering non-hazardous waste (class II), Bracell generated the total of 80,269.62 tons, corresponding to 99.17% of waste generation in 2023.

Mill and Forestry – São Paulo
2023
Waste	Class	Volume generated (t)
Wood scrap	Class II	46.312,15
Used lubricants	Class I	145,40
Big bags (discarded)	Class II	9,29
General packaging – Plastic carboys and containers	Class II	3,26
General packaging – Drums	Class II	86,17
Rubber (tires, etc.)	Class II	297,75
Construction waste	Class II	976,15
Scrap Wood (Jazida Sul)	Class II	2.324,88
Miscellaneous scrap metal	Class II	487,59
Light bulbs	Class I	3.106,00
Batteries (Miscellaneous)	Class I	27,85
Electronics	Class I	1,00
PPE / Miscellaneous recyclables	Class II	58,29
Segregated Recyclables	Class II	329,09
Laboratory Waste (DQO solution)	Class I	0,49
Class I General (Maintenance / Other)	Class I	246,61
Lime mud	Class II	62.102,56
Class II General / Unsalvageable	Class II	373,98
Sludge (wastewater treatment)	Class II	113.220,70
Mixed waste (Dregs, Grits, Knots, Shives, Ash and Sand)	Class II	83.816,55
Fiberglass and Rock Wool	Class II	10,71
Organic waste	Class II	492,05
Class II General / Unsalvageable	Class II	131,16
Total		314.559,68

 

Mill – Bahia
2023
Waste	Class	Volume generated (t)
Healthcare Waste	Class I	0.02
Used lubricants	Class I	22.55
Contaminated empty metal drums	Class I	5.01
Miscellaneous oil- and grease-contaminated materials	Class I	24.03
Light bulbs	Class I	0.29
Lime Mud	Class II	7,176.56
Lime Residue	Class II	2,493.92
Grits	Class II	3,507.64
Dregs	Class II	7,515.87
Knots and shives	Class II	17,452.57
Sawdust	Class II	27,683.00
Non-Recyclable Waste	Class II	287.18
Paper and Cardboard	Class II	168.25
Bark	Class II	40,490.52
Yard Waste	Class II	664.40
Plastic Scrap	Class II	41.78
Wood Scrap	Class II	160.04
Empty 1,000 Liter Tanks	Class II	1.41
Industrial Waste	Class II	988.00
Primary Sludge	Class II	10,991.64
Plastic Carboys	Class II	0.13
Scrap metal	Class II	840.69
Batteries	Class II	0.53
Screening solids	Class II	10.08
Glass	Class II	38.50
Tires	Class II	6.11
Emergency Pond Sludge	Class II	4,045.00
Total		124,615.72
Forestry – Bahia
2023
Waste	Class	Volume generated (t)
Lubricants	Class I	16.60
Contaminated filters	Class I	5.72
Contaminated hoses	Class I	8.35
Other contaminated materials	Class I	4.88
Pesticide packaging	Class I	16.29
Paper and Plastic	Class II	18.26
Scrap metal	Class II	75.68
Regular Waste	Class II	14.76
Machinery tires	Class II	14.50
Empty Drums	Class II	3.26
Contaminated Soil	Class I	3.36
Wood	Class II	9.16
Laboratory waste	Class I	0.41
Bags	Class II	6.98
PPE and used uniforms	Class II	2.58
Construction Waste	Class II	53.60
Grease Trap Residue	Class I	4.27
Fluorescent Lamps	Class II	0.10
Batteries	Class II	0.05
Conventional tires	Class II	0.82
Total		259.62

Note: waste materials generated at Bracell are not managed by third parties. Only internal waste collection and handling processes are managed by a contractor. Waste disposal proper is carried out by Bracell. The information used to track waste generation is compiled by monitoring waste movements (number of trips) and via sampling-based weighing by type of waste and department within the production process. To compile recycling data, all shipments are weighed prior to issuing delivery notes, and data is compiled from a consolidated weighbridge control report as a source of information on waste disposal. For any environmental impacts, Bracell has operational controls in place as part of its Waste Management Plan to prevent and mitigate impacts. This plan describes the types of waste generated within the organization, the departments responsible for monitoring and managing waste streams, and procedures for compliant storage, transportation and disposal.

Bracell São Paulo – Mill and Forestry
2023
Waste	Class	Disposed of (t)	Landfill (t)	Reuse (t)	Recycling (t)	Co-processing (t)	Incineration (t)	Other recovery
Wood scrap	Class II	46,312.15	0.00	0.00	46,312.15	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Used lubricants	Class I	145.40	0.00	0.00	145.40	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Big bags (discarded)	Class II	9.29	0.00	0.00	9.29	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
General packaging – Plastic carboys and containers	Class II	3.26	0.00	0.00	3.26	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
General packaging – Drums	Class II	86.17	0.00	0.00	86.17	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Rubber (tires, etc.)	Class II	297.75	0.00	0.00	297.75	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Construction waste	Class II	976.15	0.00	0.00	976.15	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Scrap Wood (Jazida Sul)	Class II	2,324.88	0.00	0.00	2,324.88	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Miscellaneous scrap metal	Class II	487.59	0.00	0.00	487.59	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Light bulbs	Class I	3,106.00	0.00	0.00	3,106.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Batteries (Miscellaneous)	Class I	27.85	0.00	0.00	27.85	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Electronics	Class I	1.00	0.00	0.00	1.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
PPE / Miscellaneous recyclables	Class II	58.29	0.00	0.00	58.29	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Segregated Recyclables	Class II	329.09	0.00	0.00	329.09	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Laboratory Waste (DQO solution)	Class I	0.49	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.49	Not applicable
Class I General (Maintenance / Other)	Class I	246.61	0.00	0.00	0.00	246.61	0.00	Not applicable
Lime mud	Class II	62,102.56	62,102.56	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Class II General / Unsalvageable	Class II	373.98	373.98	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Sludge (wastewater treatment)	Class II	113,220.70	113,220.70	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Mixed waste (Dregs, Grits, Knots, Shives, Ash and Sand)	Class II	83,816.55	83,816.55	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Fiberglass and Rock Wool	Class II	10.71	10.71	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Organic waste	Class II	492.05	492.05	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Class II General / Unsalvageable	Class II	131.16	131.16	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Total		314,559.68	260,147.71	0.00	54,164.87	246.61	0.49	–

 

São Paulo 2023
Waste by type	Mill and Forestry
Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	0.00
Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	3,527.35
Total hazardous waste	3,527.35
Non-Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	260,147.71
Non-Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	50,884.62
Non-Hazardous Waste – Temporary storage for sale	0.00
Total non-hazardous waste	311,032.33
Total consolidated	314,559.68

 

Industrial waste – Bahia 2023
Waste	Class	Disposed of (t)	Landfill (t)	Reuse (t)	Recycling (t)	Co-processing (t)	Incineration	Other recovery
Healthcare Waste	Class I	0.02	0.020			0.002
Used lubricants	Class I	22.55			22.55
Contaminated empty metal drums	Class I	6.08		3.59	2.49
Miscellaneous oil- and grease-contaminated materials	Class I	24.03	18.05			5.98
Light bulbs	Class I	0.29	0.29
Lime Mud	Class II	10,903.02		7,268.12	3,634.90
Grits	Class II	2,083.29	1,831.56		251.73
Dregs	Class II	7,515.87	7,515.87
Knots and shives	Class II	8,506.91			8,506.91
Sawdust	Class II	30,840.38			30,840.38
Non-Recyclable Waste	Class II	287.18	287.18
Paper and Cardboard	Class II	168.25			168.25
Bark	Class II	21,507.01			21,507.01
Yard Waste	Class II	664.40	664.40
Plastic Scrap	Class II	41.78			41.78
Wood Scrap	Class II	160.04			160.04
Empty 1,000 Liter Tanks	Class II	1.41		1.41
Industrial Waste	Class II	988.00	988.00
Primary Sludge	Class II	3,217.64			3,217.64
Plastic Carboys	Class II	0.51		0.51
Scrap metal	Class II	840.69			840.69
Screening solids	Class II	10.08	10.08
Total		87,789.43	11,315.45	7,273.63	69,194.37	5.98	0.00	–

 

Forestry waste – Bahia 2023
Waste	Class	Disposed of (t)	Landfill (t)	Reuse (t)	Recycling (t)	Co-processing (t)	Incineration	Other recovery
Lubricants	Class I	16.60						Refining
Contaminated filters	Class I	4.60	4.60
Contaminated hoses	Class I	8.08	8.08
Other contaminated materials	Class I	4.64	4.64
Pesticide packaging	Class I	16.29						Reverse Logistics
Paper and Plastic	Class II	18.26			18.26
Scrap metal	Class II	75.68			75.68
Regular Waste	Class II	14.76	14.76
Machinery tires	Class II	6.16						Sold for resale
Empty Drums	Class II	2.10			2.10
Contaminated Soil	Class I	2.41	2.41
Wood	Class II	9.16						Fuel for energy and recycling
Laboratory waste	Class I	0.41						Autoclave
Bags	Class II	6.98			6.98
PPE and used uniforms	Class II	2.58	2.58
Construction Waste	Class II	53.60	53.60
Grease Trap Residue	Class I	4.27						Wastewater treatment
Fluorescent Lamps	Class II	0.07						Decontamination
Batteries	Class II	0.05	0.05
Conventional tires	Class II	0.82
Total		247.51	90.71	0.00	103.02	0.00	0.00	52.96

 

Bahia 2023
Waste by type	Forestry	Mill
Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	19.73	18.360
Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	37.57	34.61
Total hazardous waste	57.30	52.97
Non-Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	70.99	11,297.09
Non-Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	119.23	76,439.37
Non-Hazardous Waste – Temporary storage for sale	0.00	36,807.93
Total non-hazardous waste	190.22	124,544.39
Total consolidated	247.51	124,597.36

Bracell São Paulo – Mill and Forestry
2023
Waste	Class	Disposed of (t)	Landfill (t)	Reuse (t)	Recycling (t)	Co-processing (t)	Incineration (t)	Other recovery
Wood scrap	Class II	46,312.15	0.00	0.00	46,312.15	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Used lubricants	Class I	145.40	0.00	0.00	145.40	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Big bags (discarded)	Class II	9.29	0.00	0.00	9.29	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
General packaging – Plastic carboys and containers	Class II	3.26	0.00	0.00	3.26	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
General packaging – Drums	Class II	86.17	0.00	0.00	86.17	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Rubber (tires, etc.)	Class II	297.75	0.00	0.00	297.75	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Construction waste	Class II	976.15	0.00	0.00	976.15	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Scrap Wood (Jazida Sul)	Class II	2,324.88	0.00	0.00	2,324.88	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Miscellaneous scrap metal	Class II	487.59	0.00	0.00	487.59	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Light bulbs	Class I	3,106.00	0.00	0.00	3,106.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Batteries (Miscellaneous)	Class I	27.85	0.00	0.00	27.85	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Electronics	Class I	1.00	0.00	0.00	1.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
PPE / Miscellaneous recyclables	Class II	58.29	0.00	0.00	58.29	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Segregated Recyclables	Class II	329.09	0.00	0.00	329.09	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Laboratory Waste (DQO solution)	Class I	0.49	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.49	Not applicable
Class I General (Maintenance / Other)	Class I	246.61	0.00	0.00	0.00	246.61	0.00	Not applicable
Lime mud	Class II	62,102.56	62,102.56	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Class II General / Unsalvageable	Class II	373.98	373.98	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Sludge (wastewater treatment)	Class II	113,220.70	113,220.70	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Mixed waste (Dregs, Grits, Knots, Shives, Ash and Sand)	Class II	83,816.55	83,816.55	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Fiberglass and Rock Wool	Class II	10.71	10.71	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Organic waste	Class II	492.05	492.05	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Class II General / Unsalvageable	Class II	131.16	131.16	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Not applicable
Total		314,559.68	260,147.71	0.00	54,164.87	246.61	0.49	–

 

São Paulo 2023
Waste by type	Mill and Forestry
Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	0.00
Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	3,527.35
Total hazardous waste	3,527.35
Non-Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	260,147.71
Non-Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	50,884.62
Non-Hazardous Waste – Temporary storage for sale	0.00
Total non-hazardous waste	311,032.33
Total consolidated	314,559.68

 

Industrial waste – Bahia 2023
Waste	Class	Disposed of (t)	Landfill (t)	Reuse (t)	Recycling (t)	Co-processing (t)	Incineration	Other recovery
Healthcare Waste	Class I	0.02	0.020			0.002
Used lubricants	Class I	22.55			22.55
Contaminated empty metal drums	Class I	6.08		3.59	2.49
Miscellaneous oil- and grease-contaminated materials	Class I	24.03	18.05			5.98
Light bulbs	Class I	0.29	0.29
Lime Mud	Class II	10,903.02		7,268.12	3,634.90
Grits	Class II	2,083.29	1,831.56		251.73
Dregs	Class II	7,515.87	7,515.87
Knots and shives	Class II	8,506.91			8,506.91
Sawdust	Class II	30,840.38			30,840.38
Non-Recyclable Waste	Class II	287.18	287.18
Paper and Cardboard	Class II	168.25			168.25
Bark	Class II	21,507.01			21,507.01
Yard Waste	Class II	664.40	664.40
Plastic Scrap	Class II	41.78			41.78
Wood Scrap	Class II	160.04			160.04
Empty 1,000 Liter Tanks	Class II	1.41		1.41
Industrial Waste	Class II	988.00	988.00
Primary Sludge	Class II	3,217.64			3,217.64
Plastic Carboys	Class II	0.51		0.51
Scrap metal	Class II	840.69			840.69
Screening solids	Class II	10.08	10.08
Total		87,789.43	11,315.45	7,273.63	69,194.37	5.98	0.00	–

 

Forestry waste – Bahia 2023
Waste	Class	Disposed of (t)	Landfill (t)	Reuse (t)	Recycling (t)	Co-processing (t)	Incineration	Other recovery
Lubricants	Class I	16.60						Refining
Contaminated filters	Class I	4.60	4.60
Contaminated hoses	Class I	8.08	8.08
Other contaminated materials	Class I	4.64	4.64
Pesticide packaging	Class I	16.29						Reverse Logistics
Paper and Plastic	Class II	18.26			18.26
Scrap metal	Class II	75.68			75.68
Regular Waste	Class II	14.76	14.76
Machinery tires	Class II	6.16						Sold for resale
Empty Drums	Class II	2.10			2.10
Contaminated Soil	Class I	2.41	2.41
Wood	Class II	9.16						Fuel for energy and recycling
Laboratory waste	Class I	0.41						Autoclave
Bags	Class II	6.98			6.98
PPE and used uniforms	Class II	2.58	2.58
Construction Waste	Class II	53.60	53.60
Grease Trap Residue	Class I	4.27						Wastewater treatment
Fluorescent Lamps	Class II	0.07						Decontamination
Batteries	Class II	0.05	0.05
Conventional tires	Class II	0.82
Total		247.51	90.71	0.00	103.02	0.00	0.00	52.96

 

Bahia 2023
Waste by type	Forestry	Mill
Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	19.73	18.360
Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	37.57	34.61
Total hazardous waste	57.30	52.97
Non-Hazardous Waste – Directed to disposal	70.99	11,297.09
Non-Hazardous Waste – Diverted from disposal	119.23	76,439.37
Non-Hazardous Waste – Temporary storage for sale	0.00	36,807.93
Total non-hazardous waste	190.22	124,544.39
Total consolidated	247.51	124,597.36