Shared Responsibility in Electronics Reverse Logistics

Introduction: The challenge of electronic waste

Brazil is the largest generator of electronic waste in Latin America, with millions of tons discarded every year. Only a small fraction of this waste is properly disposed of, while the rest ends up in landfills or irregular dumps, creating environmental and health risks.

Shared responsibility emerges as an essential tool to distribute duties and commitments among all stakeholders in the life cycle of electronic products.

The concept of shared responsibility

Shared responsibility means that no single stakeholder can solve the problem of electronic waste disposal alone. Joint and coordinated action is required.

This model is established under Law No. 12.305/2010 (PNRS) and aims to:

• Reduce waste generation.

• Ensure environmentally sound disposal.

• Promote the social and economic inclusion of NGOs and cooperatives.

• Encourage sustainable use of natural resources.

Obligations of each stakeholder

1. Manufacturers

• Design products that are easier to recycle and dispose of.

• Finance or participate in reverse logistics systems.

2. Importers

• Ensure that imported products are properly disposed of at the end of their life cycle.

3. Distributors and retailers

• Provide collection points or return alternatives.

• Support collection programs in partnership with certified recyclers.

4. Consumers

• Properly separate waste and deliver it to collection points.

• Avoid irregular disposal in common trash.

5. Government

• Monitor and enforce compliance.

• Support integration between companies, NGOs, and cooperatives.

Challenges of shared responsibility

• Low consumer awareness → many people are still unaware of their role in reverse logistics.

• Lack of national infrastructure → not all regions have sufficient collection points.

• Operational costs → handling large volumes of collection and recycling requires investment.

• Stakeholder integration → aligning the interests of private companies, government, and society is often difficult.

The strategic role of Ecobraz

Ecobraz Emigre positions itself as a key integrator in the shared responsibility chain:

• Nationwide collection coverage across Brazil.

• Complete documentation for companies → manifests, invoices, ESG reports.

• Legal security → full compliance with PNRS and environmental regulations.

• Consumer support → educational campaigns and easier disposal processes.

• Social impact → refurbished equipment supports digital inclusion centers in underserved communities.

Benefits of well-executed shared responsibility

• Environmental → reduced pollution and preservation of natural resources.

• Economic → recovery of valuable metals and reduced extraction costs.

• Social → job creation and digital inclusion in underserved communities.

• Corporate → stronger institutional image and fulfillment of ESG commitments.

Conclusion: Co-responsibility as a sustainable solution

Shared responsibility in reverse logistics of electronics is a model that fairly distributes duties and ensures greater efficiency in the recycling process.

👉 Ecobraz Emigre is the ideal partner for companies, consumers, and governments seeking to comply with legal requirements and transform recycling into a sustainable, competitive, and socially fair cycle.