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.

Waste from both forestry and mill operations is classified, segregated, stored and transported in compliance with legal requirements and our Waste Management Plan. Preventive checklists include environmental requirements on managing waste, such as the availability of spill kits to be used during equipment maintenance. Bracell also has practices in place for reducing the amount of waste we generate.

At our mill in São Paulo, as part of our circular economy efforts, we partner with external organizations to produce soil amendments and organic compost. We are actively working to reduce waste generation, especially as annual production output continues to increase.

Waste generated at the pulp mill in Lençóis Paulista (SP) is weighed daily using the plant’s weigh bridge, with waste tonnage documented in waste waybills. The data are recorded in internal systems. At the end of each month, this information is consolidated, environmental KPIs are generated, and reports are published, including our Sustainability Report and other reports required by the environmental regulator, Cetesb. Waste is classified by type and destination, also in accordance with environmental regulations.

At the plant in the Camaçari Industrial Park (BA), operations run 24/7. Waste is collected at designated points and transported by a third-party company to storage areas or for outbound shipment. Each movement is recorded, using a conversion factor to estimate weight from volume. This supports accurate accounting of generated waste volumes and disposal methods (landfill, recycling, or resale), and allows us to track performance indicators such as total waste generated per metric ton of pulp produced.

At Bracell Papéis, specifically at the Feira de Santana (BA) mill, waste management is also supported by spreadsheets to record waste invoice data and weights. Monitoring is done monthly and is site-specific. All waste leaves the plant with an issued waste waybill for traceability. This site also maintains an up-to-date Waste Management Plan as a management support tool.

The Bracell Papéis Sudeste facility, located at the Lençóis Paulista (SP) site, most of the waste generated consists of recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and wood. Waste data and the corresponding waste waybills are logged internally. Waste materials are mostly sold. More than 90% of the waste generated at the facility is recyclable and sent to partner companies, as part of our commitment to the circular economy.

In line with the principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling, we have implemented several initiatives in our operations, such as:

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.

Repurposing bark and sawdust 

Eucalyptus bark and sawdust are used as biomass in kilns and boilers, replacing fossil fuels like natural gas and reducing the need for landfilling. Excess waste from energy generation, when caused by equipment downtime, is sent to external partners for energy recovery or used in the rehabilitation of degraded land.

Use of lime mud

Lime mud, generated during kiln start-up and shutdown, is recovered in the production process or, when it cannot be diluted in the chemical recovery system, is sent to external partners for the production of soil amendments.