{
  "id": 14684256,
  "title": "Brazilian Post offers e-waste collection service",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/brazilian-post-offers-e-waste-collection-service",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Agencia Brasil",
    "slug": "agencia-brasil",
    "url": "https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/meio-ambiente/noticia/2026-10/brazilian-post-offers-e-waste-collection-service"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, October 14, the day marked as International E-Waste Day, every one of Brazil's 6,868 post offices began accepting post-consumer electronics under the Balcão Cidadão (Citizen Service Center) initiative. The service, provided free of charge, accommodates devices weighing up to 30 kilograms. This move is part of the Circulare Reverse Logistics System, a collaboration with Circular Brain, an organization that has been handling free pickups of large household appliances and electronics across the country.\n\nBrazilian President Emmanoel Rondon highlighted the convenience this offers to millions of Brazilians who frequently use post offices. The accepted items range from cell phones, laptops, tablets, headphones, cables, and other small electronic devices. Each device is then forwarded to a reverse logistics partner approved by the network, with the entire process tracked from start to finish.\n\nMarcus Oliveira, executive director of Circular Brain, explained that many people keep these small electronic devices at home due to a lack of proper disposal methods and the absence of nearby drop-off points. According to the United Nations' 2024 Global E-Waste Monitor, Brazil ranks third in South America in electronic waste generation, producing 2.4 million metric tons annually. However, only 3 percent of this waste is collected. Despite the National Solid Waste Policy and a 2020 decree mandating reverse logistics systems for electronic devices, waste is often improperly disposed of, contaminating soil, water, and posing health risks. Moreover, valuable raw materials that could be recovered and reused by industry are lost when these devices remain unused. Oliveira emphasized that by recycling these items, the industry can reduce the need for resource extraction.",
  "summary": "All 6,868 post offices in Brazil that offer Balcão Cidadão (Citizen Service Center) services began collecting post-consumer electronics on Wednesday (Oct. 14), International E-Waste Day. The service is free and accepts equipment weighing up to 30 kilograms. Post office collection points are now part of the Circulare Reverse Logistics System through a partnership with Circular Brain, a company…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}