Reducing solid wastes generation is a priority for solid waste management in Brazil, according to the National Policy of Solid Waste. This paper presents data on trends in per capita solid wastes generation in Brazil, and in other developed countries, as well as the efforts and difficulties to reduce or stabilize that flow. In order to contribute to the debate on the subject, some hypotheses are raised about social, economic and cultural factors that affect consumption and the consequent generation of solid wastes. In a first analysis of the evolution of the per capita generation of solid wastes in Brazil, there is a greater propensity for growth due mainly to the improvement in the income of the poor and to cultural factors, such as reduction of the family size and inclusion of women in the labor market.
solid wastes; per capita generation of solid wastes; economic development; income; consumption; environmental legislation
