This article presents socio-economic, energetic and CO₂ emissions' impact by considering a large-scale integrated plant to treat Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP); the most important Brazilian macro-region. As an alternative to landfills, this plant offers a source of renewable energy and a good assessment of benefits the circular economy provides. Based on the most recent interregional economic transactions data, the proposed Input-Output model has shown reductions in the local energy demand (-0.31%), carbon emissions (-3.40%). On the other hand, it has suggested gains in the GDP (+0.21%) and formal job positions (+0.08% or 10.6k) when recyclables are introduced massively in the economy.

The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) by the Law 12,305 of Aug. 2nd in 2010, is the Brazilian initiative to manage the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in the national territory. The Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP) is the largest Brazilian economic macro-region which generates 10% of all MSW in the country which is practically 100% treated in landfills, as suggested by the PNRS. However, its landfills are close to the exhaustion and build new ones collide with the lack of land availability in the region surrounded by water reservoirs. Areas far from the waste generation do not seem to be an economical alternative, due to high freight fee and requirements for environmental licensing.

A pecuária extensiva de corte é fundamental para a economia brasileira, mas enfrenta desafios ambientais, como emissões de gases de efeito estufa e degradação de pastagens, aliados a crescentes demandas por bem-estar animal. Este estudo revisa, mediante análise integrativa da literatura (2010-2023), estratégias para conciliar sustentabilidade e bem-estar na atividade. Os resultados demonstram que sistemas integrados, como a Integração Lavoura-Pecuária-Floresta (ILPF) e práticas como o pastejo rotacionado e o manejo racional, promovem sinergias significativas. Essas técnicas potencializam a eficiência produtiva, mitigam emissões, recuperam solos e melhoram o conforto e a saúde animal. Casos de sucesso, como a Fazenda Santa Brígida e o Protocolo Carne Carbono Neutro, comprovam ganhos ambientais, produtivos e econômicos. Conclui-se que a adoção integrada dessas práticas é um caminho viável e vantajoso para uma pecuária competitiva, de baixo carbono e alinhada às demandas contemporâneas, superando barreiras por meio de políticas de incentivo, assistência técnica e valorização do produto.

São Paulo is expanding material recovery, biological treatment, and thermal recovery of municipal solid waste (MSW). This study develops a circularity-constrained capacity planning model for 2025–2040 to evaluate whether fixed waste-to-energy (WtE) capacity is preferable to adaptive refuse-derived fuel (CDR). The model integrates an MBT+WtE framework with waste data, 2026 draft PGIRS targets, gravimetric composition, Brazilian lower heating value evidence, and economic benchmarks. São Paulo collected 3.644 Mt of household waste in 2025. The draft PGIRS targets 67% recovery by 2040, comprising 24% dry fraction recovery, 15% biological treatment, 28% thermal recovery, and 25.8% recycling. Under the central trajectory, 3,000 t/d of effective WtE capacity is sufficient through 2038, while a thermal gap of 44 kt/y emerges in 2039 and reaches 132 kt/y in 2040. Instead of installing a fourth 1,000 t/d module with 333 kt/y effective capacity, the model evaluates adaptive CDR production. Using a central CDR cost of BRL 116/t, 25% yield, 17 MJ/kg lower heating value, 25.8% net electrical efficiency, and BRL 549.35/MWh electricity, CDR generates BRL 588/t net system benefit and an indicative 20-year NPV of BRL 762 million for the 2040 gap. The fourth WtE module, requiring BRL 423 million CAPEX and BRL 97 million/y incremental OPEX, yields an indicative NPV of approximately -BRL 825 million before gate-fee revenues. Monte Carlo screening preserves an advantage for CDR under the tested assumptions. The results support staged thermal investment and treating CDR as a flexible intermediate energy carrier rather than fixed capacity.