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Loading ...BNDES Finances Small Hydropower Expansion
Friday, December 26th, 2008In recent months Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) has been pumping a lot of money into small-scale hydroelectric power (PCH in Portuguese) projects. How much? R$910 million in 15 projects since August for a total new power generation of capacity of 264.5 megawatts (MW). That means by end-2008 BNDES will have 85 PCH projects in […]
Recycling Used Motor Oil Packaging in Brazil
Thursday, December 25th, 2008In past posts I’ve discussed how recovery of used motor oil is still in its early stages in Latin American nations such as Brazil and Colombia. But that’s only part of the waste problem generated by the lubricants we use in motor vehicles. There’s also the packaging that the new motor oil comes in, the […]
Brazilian States Publicize Consumer Complaints
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008In September the 21 Brazilian state consumer agencies (known in Brazil as “Procons”) belonging to the National System of Consumer Defense Information (Sistema Nacional de Informações de Defesa do Consumidor – SINDEC) opened (mostly on the internet) their registries of consumer complaints, including their rankings of which firms were the subject of the greatest number […]
An E-Waste Bill for Santa Catarina / Projeto de Lei Sobre E-Lixo para Santa Catarina
Thursday, September 18th, 2008Earlier this month a bill was introduced in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina (SC) to impose extended producer responsibility (EPR) for end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment — WEEE, e-waste or “technological trash” (lixo tecnológico) as Brazilians like to call it. SC is not the first state to attempt legislation on this subject. Mato […]
Update: Among the World’s Top PET Recyclers
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008Who was #2 in PET recycling in 2006 (the last year for which there are comparable figures among nations)? Did you answer Brazil? In 2006 Brazil recycled 180 kilotons (Kt), representing about 51.3% of the PET sold in the country during that year. This means that Brazil recycles at double the rate that the US […]
The Largest Solar Water Heater Made With PET Bottles?
Saturday, August 9th, 2008One of the most popular posts here on The Temas Blog was the one introducing the solar water heater made of used PET bottles and aseptic cartons (mostly Tetra-brik) promoted by Paraná’s (PR) Zero Waste (Desperdício Zero) Program. Not far behind in popularity has been the follow-up post about how the Program is spreading the […]
Improving Environmental Quality in Joinville
Thursday, November 1st, 2007From the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): IDB approves US$32.67 million to improve environmental quality in Municipality of Joinville in Brazil Project to address flooding and watercourse pollution that impact urban environment The Inter-American Development Bank announced today the approval of a US$32.67 million loan to Brazil for an environmental revitalization program to help address the […]
Apoio de R$22.9 milhões para cooperativas de catadores
Monday, October 15th, 2007Synopsis in English: Brazilian President Lula announced on 01 October the first 24 financial lines to be awarded by the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) to cooperatives of unofficial waste sorters/ recyclers known in Brazil as catadores. The catador cooperatives are generally composed of the very poor that live off of the recyclables […]
Alcohol Consumption in Brazil IV: Drinking-Related Problems; Policy Responses
Sunday, October 14th, 2007At end-2005, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) resolved to undertake a regional effort to combat alcohol consumption under the guidance of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). As they do, they’ll likely study the efforts of Brazil to take the lead on the issue. This past spring Brazil adopted a national policy and not […]
Alcohol Consumption in Brazil II: Binge Drinking
Thursday, October 11th, 2007Back at the end of 2005, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) resolved to undertake a regional effort to combat alcohol consumption under the guidance of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). As they do, they’ll likely study the efforts of Brazil to take the lead on the issue. This past spring Brazil adopted a […]