Blockchain in waste traceability and environmental certification

The use of blockchain technology in environmental management offers robust solutions for tracking waste and ensuring environmental certification, promoting transparency and compliance with current legislation. This article analyzes the practical applications, benefits and legal basis of the technology in the sector.

Blockchain technology and waste traceability

Efficient waste traceability is essential for compliance with the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12.305/2010), which establishes integrated management and the sharing of responsibilities for the life cycle of waste. Blockchain technology, characterized by the decentralized and immutable recording of data, ensures transparency and security in information relating to the origin, transport, treatment and final destination of waste.

By using blockchain, all the agents involved from the generation to the treatment of waste can record events in real time, creating an auditable history that is protected against fraud. Such a mechanism is essential for sectors that demand strict control, such as those that carry out electronic waste collection.

Environmental certification with blockchain

Environmental certification seeks to guarantee the compliance of sustainable processes and practices, and is a critical requirement in the market and for regulatory bodies. Blockchain can be integrated into certification systems, validating and storing operational data from waste generation to final disposal. This allows certification bodies and public agencies to verify the veracity of information with greater agility and security.

In addition, continuous and immutable monitoring through technology supports compliance with legal obligations under the National Solid Waste Management Information System (SINIR), as established by Decree No. 10.936/2022 and CONAMA Resolution No. 481/2017.

Legal and regulatory aspects

The use of blockchain in waste traceability is supported by Brazilian legislation, especially in its function of ensuring the transparency and integrity of environmental data. The National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12.305/2010) provides for the need for a national information system, complemented by SINIR (mtr.sinir.gov.br), which can be improved with the implementation of technologies such as blockchain.

For the electronic waste sector, compliance with the provisions of Art. 33 of Law No. 12.305/2010, which deals with reverse logistics, can be facilitated with the increased traceability provided by blockchain, speeding up control of the life cycle of safely discarded equipment. Procedures for the safe disposal of digital media, such as hard drives and other devices, can be optimized via blockchain, increasing security and reliability in the processes of safe disposal of hard drives and media.

Benefits of implementing blockchain in waste management

• Transparency: Public and immutable records increase trust between all stakeholders.
• Security: Protection against fraud and manipulated data guarantees the integrity of information.
• Agility: Real-time registration improves the efficiency of operations and reduces bureaucracy.
• Legal compliance: Facilitates compliance with the requirements of regulatory and certifying bodies.
• Sustainable innovation: Encourages the use of technologies to improve environmental management.

Final considerations

The incorporation of blockchain in waste traceability and environmental certification represents a significant advance for environmental management in Brazil. Based on solid legal foundations and supported by robust technologies, this strategy promotes greater efficiency, security and reliability, in line with the objectives of sustainable development and current legislation.

Sectors that deal with electronic waste can benefit directly from the technology to improve their tracking and disposal processes, as evidenced by the solutions recommended for electronic waste collection and safe disposal of hard drives and media, ensuring compliance and security.

The use of blockchain will also help regulatory and certifying bodies to ensure compliance with public policies and environmental standards, a key factor in the effective control of the environmentally appropriate disposal of waste.