Receiving network

The receiving structure for empty packaging or that containing post-consumption leftovers is capillary, present throughout the national territory, and planned to be near farmers. It is operated based on robust planning that ensures maximum efficiency of the process and stays in pace with the dynamics of the Brazilian agribusiness.

The post-consumption packaging receiving stations are divided into outposts and central stations, classified according to material volume and processing needs (done only at central stations).

In 2020, the System had 99 central stations and 312 outposts. As part of a continuous efficiency development process and resulting from a negotiated process, since 2019 the central stations are transferring their administration to inpEV - until then, most central stations and outposts were managed by the distribution channel. Until now, 45 have already been incorporated under the Institute's management, 17 in 2020 alone. GRI 102-10

The direct central station management process was recommended, after thorough analyses, by the inpEV Board of Directors, the body formed by representatives of all links of the Campo Limpo System. The purpose is to advance under an integrated management of these units, which may result in benefits to the System, including cost reductions for all links of the chain. As the managing entity, inpEV has knowledge of the entire packaging disposal process and disseminates good practices on topics such as environmental management, promotion of a safe and efficient working environment.

Even with the new coronavirus pandemic and the mobilization to ensure worker safety, the plan to change the central stations continued on schedule until the end of the year. Team integration processes, trainings and operator hiring, whenever necessary, were done in a virtual fashion in order to guarantee the health of those involved (read more on Human development). Another concern of the process is to maintain proximity among the central station, the distribution channel and the farmers in each region, thus ensuring a good relationship and communication between these strategic links of the System.

Another benefit of the integrated management was to expedite and make decision-making more efficient along the year, mainly with regard to the strong demand for receiving packaging without any bottlenecks in the System.

Forms of disposal GRI 306-2

All types of regularly commercialized crop protection packaging are disposed of by the Campo Limpo System, including the plastic and metal packaging, lids and cardboard boxes used during transportation.

Packaging that has not been submitted to a triple wash in the field, under the responsibility of farmers, or containing crop protection post-consumption leftovers - around 7% of the total disposed volume - is incinerated by specialized companies. This includes products that farmers did not use until the end, overdue or presenting damaged packaging the prevents its commercialization. Discontinued products that had their registry canceled, but are not prohibited, are also incinerated.

Co-processing brings forth an environmentally more interesting alternative than incineration. inpEV conducted studies on this procedure between 2014 and 2016, including tests in partnership with Cetesb (Environmental Agency of the State of São Paulo), which demonstrated efficiency and safety. This procedure, which only includes empty packaging, is more efficient than traditional incineration and can become a substitute for fossil fuels in these furnaces. This is also in agreement with international regulations such as the Stockholm Convention. inpEV is still assessing the impacts of this option and continues to recycle and incinerate as a means of final packaging disposal.