Waste management practices at Bracell follow circular economy principles and a hierarchical approach that prioritizes, first and foremost, reducing waste generation during production processes. Whenever possible, materials are reused internally, and when that is not feasible, we partner with third parties to recycle the waste, ensuring environmentally sound disposal. This approach supports our commitment to operational efficiency and sustainability across the entire value chain (see more under GRI 306-1 Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts).

Our disposal alternatives include recycling, energy recovery, reuse, composting, effluent treatment, agricultural use, and re-refining—a process that transforms used oil into a new, decontaminated product.

During the year, we implemented process and infrastructure improvements to reduce waste generation and improve waste management practices.

In addition, the R&D department is advancing two major projects focused on the reuse of industrial by-products:

• Potassium sulfate plant: in 2025, a facility was built to produce potassium sulfate from a residue generated at the São Paulo mill, which will be used as a forestry fertilizer.
• New uses for waste materials: Tests are underway to evaluate the use of dregs, grits and other waste materials in the construction of service roads and as materials for building and construction applications.
• Fertilizer plant: The feasibility of installing a fertilizer production plant at the São Paulo mill is currently under evaluation. The proposed project involves reusing sludge generated in water and effluent treatment processes (WTP/WWTP), converting this material into fertilizer input. This project is another illustration of our commitment to circular economy principles and waste reduction. Another alternative under assessment is the production of biogas from this same sludge, which could be used as industrial fuel. This project is also being developed by the Research & Development team, with a focus on innovative and sustainable solutions.

At our Northeast paper mill in Feira de Santana (BA), several initiatives are being implemented, including the installation of drying and drainage boxes for sludge prior to landfill disposal. Additional initiatives at this facility include testing the use of sludge residues in our forestry operations in Bahia.

In our forestry operations in São Paulo, in 2025, more than 80% of the total waste generated was sent for recycling, converting by-products into inputs for other value chains.

Pulp waste diverted from disposal

São Paulo Mill 2025

Classification	Category	Method of disposal (t)	Rehabilitation
Absorbents, filter materials, cleaning cloths, and protective clothing contaminated by hazardous substances	Hazardous waste	262.92	Co-processing
Packaging of any of the aforementioned types containing, or contaminated by, residues of hazardous substances	Hazardous waste	52.47	Recycling
Used or contaminated oil from engines, transmissions and lubrication	Hazardous waste	159.46	Re-refining
Batteries and accumulators covered under 16 06 01 (*) or 16 06 03 (*), and unsorted batteries and accumulators containing these types of batteries or accumulators	Hazardous waste	24.95	Recycling
Aluminum (Class B according to CONAMA Resolution 307/02)	Nonhazardous waste	10.43	Recycling
Class B – Recyclable wastes intended for alternative destinations, including plastics, paper, cardboard, metals, glass, wood, empty architectural paint packaging, and gypsum. Classified as Class B under CONAMA Resolution 307/2002. This category comprises waste codes 170201, 170202, 170203, 170401, 170402, 170403, 170404, 170405, 170406, 170407, 170411, 170412, 170413, and 170802, as defined by IBAMA Normative Instruction 13/2012.	Nonhazardous waste	259.62	Recycling
Paper and cardboard packaging	Nonhazardous waste	3.83	Recycling
Plastic packaging materials	Nonhazardous waste	236.15	Recycling
Iron and steel, classified as Class B recyclable waste according to CONAMA Resolution 307/2002	Nonhazardous waste	998.52	Recycling
Sludge generated from local wastewater treatment operations that is not included under waste code 03 03 10	Nonhazardous waste	56,770.61	Composting
Wood, classified as Class B under CONAMA Resolution 307/2002	Nonhazardous waste	220.55	Recycling
Wood, classified as Class B under CONAMA Resolution 307/2002	Nonhazardous waste	25.44	Energy Recovery
Mixed packaging materials	Nonhazardous waste	3.85	Recycling
Other waste fractions not previously specified	Nonhazardous waste	675.1	Recycling
Other wastes not previously specified	Nonhazardous waste	421.98	Recycling
Waste/used tires from trucks and buses	Nonhazardous waste	307.4	Co-processing
Waste/used tires from tractors	Nonhazardous waste	2.63	Recycling
Waste/used tires for other applications	Nonhazardous waste	46.17	Sorting and Transfer
End-of-life electrical and electronic products and components not included under codes 20 01 21 (*), 20 01 23 (*), or 20 01 35 (*).	Nonhazardous waste	0.49	Recycling
Lime sludge waste	Nonhazardous waste	101,137.26	Agricultural Use
Wood debarking waste	Nonhazardous waste	86,514.05	Energy Recovery
Wood debarking waste and wood waste	Nonhazardous waste	8,713.17	Energy Recovery
Furnace linings and refractory materials from non-metallurgical processes.	Nonhazardous waste	573.73	Recycling
Total waste not destined for final disposal in industrial operations in São Paulo		257,424.33	–

Note 1: the waste reported under the categories “Other unspecified fractions” and “Other waste” consists of a mix of non-hazardous materials which, following an internal technical assessment, could not be specifically classified under the categories set forth in IBAMA Normative Instruction No. 13/2012.

Note 2: all waste was sent for destination outside the organization. 

São Paulo Forestry 2025

Classification	Category	Method of disposal (t)	Rehabilitation
Absorbents, filter materials, cleaning cloths, and protective clothing contaminated by hazardous substances	Hazardous waste	22.1	Co-processing
Aluminum	Nonhazardous waste	0.49	Recycling
Iron and steel	Nonhazardous waste	35.29	Recycling
Tires	Nonhazardous waste	182.8	Recycling
Wood debarking waste	Nonhazardous waste	3.11	Recycling
Total waste not destined for final disposal in forestry operations in São Paulo		243.79	–

Note: all waste was sent for destination outside the organization. 

Bahia Mill 2025
Classification	Category	Destination (t)	Recovery Method
Used or contaminated lubricating oil	Hazardous waste	26.47	Re-refining
Batteries	Hazardous waste	5.46	Recycling
Empty contaminated metal drums	Hazardous waste	2.35	Recycling
Drums / Big Bags with contaminated mixed materials	Hazardous waste	5.28	Coprocessing
Wood bark (clean and contaminated)	Non-hazardous waste	29,635.28	Energy recovery
Plastic packaging	Non-hazardous waste	0.09	Recycling
Lime mud	Non-hazardous waste	7,521.00	Reuse
Lime mud	Non-hazardous waste	5,266.71	Agricultural use
Emergency basin sludge	Non-hazardous waste	1,659.13	Composting
Primary sludge	Non-hazardous waste	486.80	Sale
Knots and rejects	Non-hazardous waste	6,268.68	Energy recovery
Paper	Non-hazardous waste	152.37	Recycling
Area scraping waste	Non-hazardous waste	938.03	Energy recovery
Yard waste	Non-hazardous waste	572.88	Composting
Industrial waste	Non-hazardous waste	1,399.00	Composting
Sawdust	Non-hazardous waste	26,906.75	Energy recovery
Mechanical screen solids	Non-hazardous waste	3.78	Composting
Wood scrap	Non-hazardous waste	289.90	Recycling
Plastic scrap	Non-hazardous waste	31.12	Recycling
Metal scrap (ferrous and non-ferrous)	Non-hazardous waste	553.24	Recycling
Empty 1,000 L tanks (plastic IBC)	Non-hazardous waste	0.19	Recycling
Glass	Non-hazardous waste	6.87	Recycling
Total waste not destined for final disposal in industrial operations in Bahia		81,731.37	–

 

Bahia Forestry 2025
Classification	Category	Destination (t)	Recovery Method
Miscellaneous	Hazardous waste	4.13	Coprocessing
Filters	Hazardous waste	6.02	Coprocessing
Contaminated hoses	Hazardous waste	3.92	Coprocessing
Oils	Hazardous waste	15.72	Re-refining
Soil / grease	Hazardous waste	2.90	Coprocessing
Big bags	Non-hazardous waste	8.88	Recycling
1-liter EDA containers	Non-hazardous waste	0.85	Reverse logistics
5-liter EDA containers	Non-hazardous waste	1.19	Reverse logistics
10-liter EDA containers	Non-hazardous waste	0.08	Reverse logistics
20-liter EDA containers	Non-hazardous waste	8.12	Reverse logistics
Septic tank sludge	Non-hazardous waste	24.00	Effluent treatment
Wood	Non-hazardous waste	13.21	Energy recovery
EDA cardboard packaging	Non-hazardous waste	15.74	Reverse logistics
Flexible plastics (EDA)	Non-hazardous waste	3.00	Reverse logistics
Recyclable plastics	Non-hazardous waste	1.50	Recycling
FW tire	Non-hazardous waste	6.68	Reuse
Expired products	Non-hazardous waste	0.10	Reverse logistics
Recyclables	Non-hazardous waste	12.86	Recycling
Oil and water separator waste	Non-hazardous waste	2.33	Effluent treatment
Electronic waste	Non-hazardous waste	1.20	Recycling
Metal scrap	Non-hazardous waste	70.26	Recycling
EDA caps	Non-hazardous waste	0.23	Reverse logistics
Drained drums	Non-hazardous waste	1.90	Reuse
Drained drums	Non-hazardous waste	1.50	Recycling
Total waste not destined for final disposal in forestry operations in Bahia		206.32	–

Note 1: the waste volumes reported by the forestry and mill operations in Bahia include only the volumes that were effectively sent for destination in 2025, regardless of the year in which they were generated. This may result in differences between the total waste generated and the total waste destined in the same year. Additionally, 11.45 tonnes of non-hazardous waste from the Bahia Forestry unit remained in internal storage in 2025, pending destination in the subsequent cycle.
Note 2: for the Bahia Forestry unit, a total of 8.58 tonnes of non-hazardous waste was destined for recovery within the organization itself (FW tires and drained drums). For Bahia mill unit, a total of 7,521.19 tonnes of non-hazardous waste (lime mud and empty 1,000 L tanks [plastic IBCs]) was destined for recovery within the organization. All other waste generated by Bracell’s units (hazardous and non-hazardous) was sent for destination outside the organization.

Paper production waste not sent for final disposal

Southeast Paper 2025
Classification	Category	Destination (t)	Recovery Method
Class I	Hazardous waste	50.16	Coprocessing
Wood	Non-hazardous waste	352.99	Reuse
Metal	Non-hazardous waste	74.76	Recycling
Cardboard	Non-hazardous waste	284.04	Recycling
Plastic	Non-hazardous waste	243.00	Recycling
Paper cores	Non-hazardous waste	56.45	Recycling
Total waste diverted from disposal in our Southeast paper operations		1,065.46	–

Note: all waste was sent for destination outside the organization. 

Northeast Paper 2025
Classification	Category	Destination (t)	Recovery Method
Lamp	Hazardous waste	0.84	Coprocessing
Oil	Hazardous waste	0.48	Re-refining
Container	Non-hazardous waste	0.25	Recycling
50 L container	Non-hazardous waste	0.02	Recycling
200 L container	Non-hazardous waste	0.23	Recycling
Ashes	Non-hazardous waste	102.11	Recycling
100 L container	Non-hazardous waste	0.54	Recycling
Iron	Non-hazardous waste	190.27	Recycling
Clear film	Non-hazardous waste	12.25	Recycling
Printed film	Non-hazardous waste	109.27	Recycling
Broke paper (waste paper)	Non-hazardous waste	88.52	Recycling
Pallets	Non-hazardous waste	83.25	Recycling
Cardboard	Non-hazardous waste	26.78	Recycling
Towel scrap	Non-hazardous waste	395.95	Recycling
Cardboard paper cores	Non-hazardous waste	22.60	Recycling
Jumbo paper cores	Non-hazardous waste	14.98	Recycling
PVC cores	Non-hazardous waste	20.67	Recycling
Total waste not destined for final disposal in paper industrial operations in the Northeast		1,069.01	–

Note: all waste was sent for destination outside the organization.