'There's a Solution' panel highlights sustainable initiatives in the interior of SP Brazil generates around 50 million tons of construction waste per year. Despite the volume, only 21% of this material is recycled, according to the Brazilian Association of Waste and the Environment (Abrema). While much of the debris still ends up in landfills or irregular disposal, initiatives in the interior of São Paulo show that this scenario can be different. ? Join the g1 Bauru e Marília channel on WhatsApp In Tatuí, in the Sorocaba region, the municipality started investing in the reuse of these materials. Since the end of 2025, the city has had a recycling plant that transforms leftover concrete, bricks, beams and sanitary ware into recycled crushed stone, used mainly in the maintenance of rural roads. What normally represents the end of a work becomes the beginning of a new cycle. According to the municipal secretary of Urban Services, Marcel Soares, in addition to the environmental benefit, the initiative reduces public spending. The amount of recycled debris in Brazil is still low, but measures in the interior of SP help to improve this index TV TEM/ Reproduction "It is a material that previously generated disposal costs. Today it is reused on the roads, helping the environment and also public coffers." THERE IS A SOLUTION Students create recyclable dresses and thrift stores encourage sustainable fashion From recycled cooking oil to community gardens, projects in the interior of SP combine sustainability and solidarity; How the 'garbage' that leaves your home can generate income and transform communities in the interior of SP; Initiatives in the interior of SP restore rivers and correctly dispose of tons of electronic waste At the plant, the debris goes through a crushing process and, in a short time, becomes material ready for reuse. The city recommends that waste be delivered without mixing it with organic waste, wood or other materials that could compromise recycling. Since it began operating, the plant receives, on average, 368 cubic meters of debris per month. So far, approximately 60 tons of recycled gravel have been produced, used in infrastructure works in the municipality. Savings on waste transportation and disposal reach around R$75,000 per month, according to the city hall. The Tatuí Ecopoint is open from Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm; on Saturdays, from 8am to 4pm; and on Sundays, from 8am to 12pm. For residents carrying out small renovations, the space has already become a suitable destination for disposing of rubble. Waste recycling plant operates in Tatuí TEM TV/ Reproduction Waste management goes beyond civil construction Concern with the correct disposal of waste is also part of the routine of companies and educational institutions. In Sorocaba, a college implemented a waste management program that includes selective collection, composting, a sorting center and permanent environmental education actions aimed at the academic community. According to sustainability analyst Ana Paula Leite, the objective is to increase awareness about each person's responsibility in disposing of waste. "When we say we are throwing away trash, in fact it remains on our planet. We need to understand this and look for strategies to contribute where we live or work." Today, more than 90% of the waste generated on campus is reused, either through recycling or composting. The work resulted in the achievement of international Zero Waste certification, making the institution the first college to receive this recognition. According to dean Thaís Beldi, the achievement is the result of a continuous process. "We carry out several internal trainings and we are very happy to be the first institution to receive this certification. It is a recognition of this transformation." 90% of waste generated on the college campus in Sorocaba is reused, either through recycling or composting TEM TV/ Reproduction Environmental certifications gain space with the advancement of ESG Achieving an environmental certification requires more than good practices. The entire process goes through audits, document analysis and verification of compliance with technical criteria. According to Matteo Mendonça, Innovations manager at the company responsible for consultancy in the area, organizations need to structure processes before the final audit. “First we prepare all the documentation, we carry out internal audits and then a certifying body validates whether all the requirements were met.” The search for certifications grows as companies incorporate ESG practices, an acronym for environmental, social and governance criteria. In addition to reducing environmental impacts, these actions strengthen the organizations' reputation and increase their competitiveness in the market. In Boituva, an industry in the machinery and automation safety sector has been investing for around two decades in environmental actions and has accumulated certifications aimed at sustainability. Among the initiatives are reverse logistics programs, material recycling, adherence to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and projects to offset emissions through tree planting. For managing director Rogério Badalfi, sustainability is no longer just an environmental responsibility and has become part of the business strategy. In addition to environmental gains, certifications have become a competitive differentiator. Companies and investors have been looking for suppliers committed to sustainable practices, and the trend is for criteria linked to ESG to be increasingly present in production chains and commercial relationships. Zero Waste Certification is given to institutions that reduce waste generation to almost zero TV TEM/ Reproduction