What you gain by watching
- Understand exactly what Decree 12.688 changes in your operation and whether your company is already subject to the new recycled content targets.
- Discover the crucial difference between the 22% recycled content and the 32% recovered material — and how to use recycling credits to your advantage.
- Learn how to avoid fines and unnecessary taxes, with practical tips on traceability, tax classification, and access to credit lines.
About the episode
The factory floor is already feeling the ground shake: Decree 12.688, published in 2025, is no longer a promise for the future. It is already in effect for large companies and mandates a deep restructuring across the entire plastics chain. The question we asked in the episode was direct: is your company prepared for this mandatory turning point? The impact, as we showed, goes far beyond the processor — it affects and benefits everyone from waste pickers to recyclers, and the rotomolder who doesn't understand the rules could be caught off guard.
The math no one can ignore
The conversation broke down the decree into numbers and obligations. Anyone who manufactures or imports plastic packaging — primary, secondary, or tertiary, including rotomolded drums and tanks — already needs to meet the target of 22% recycled content and 32% waste recovery. These numbers are projected to increase to 80% by 2040. As we said in the episode: "If your product is being categorized as plastic packaging, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary, you're already going to be covered by this decree." And the enforcement comes in a cascade: no one escapes. "I'm not going to buy your product because it's not certified. If it doesn't have a certificate, you'll be fined."
The turning point that separates the adapted from the fined
The central point we revealed is that the obligation doesn't depend on the product being plastic, but on how it is classified and placed on the market. That's where the most common mistake and the biggest opportunity lie. We clarified the confusion between the 32% recovered material — which can be addressed by purchasing recycling credits, in a system similar to carbon — and the 22% recycled content in the packaging itself, which requires a real change in the product's formulation.
We also talked about how we still have a lot to learn — "Brazilians are still at the stage of learning to throw trash in the trash." But traceability, with bodies like SENIR and certifications like CCRLL, is arriving to formalize the sector. Recycled material, when well-managed with specific additives, can be safe and viable. The warning we left was clear: those who depend on virgin raw materials need to pay attention to market options, because the pressure will push the entire chain. "Anyone working with virgin raw materials, pay attention to the market options so you don't get kicked in the legs."
The good news? This shift also opens doors. We showed the case of a company that saved 480 thousand reais in one quarter with the correct tax classification of its product, and how special credit lines — with grace periods of up to two years — can finance equipment, where the profit itself pays for the machine. Watch the full episode to map out all the obligations and discover how to turn this rule into a competitive advantage before enforcement knocks on your door.
Summary generated with AI from the episode; some information may not be 100% accurate relative to the original content.
Episode chapters
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1
Decree 12.688: Is your company ready for the mandatory shift to recycled plastic?
In episode 31, we start with a question that will echo on the factory floor: will your company be forced to use recycled plastic? Decree 12.688, published in 2025 and already in effect this year for large companies, promises a deep restructuring of the industry — and we showed that the impact goes far beyond the processor, affecting and benefiting the entire chain, from waste pickers to recyclers. Throughout the conversation, we revealed that, although adaptation is complex and time-consuming, the rules are already in place for some, and the rotomolder needs to understand exactly which packaging and targets will be charged to avoid being caught off guard.
It's a decree that changes everything, right? Yeah, it's going to put new rules in place, a very large readjustment is going to be needed, a very big restructuring, right, in the industry and subsequent chains
▶ Watch at approximately 3:44
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2
Packaging Decree: 22% recycled content and the scope that changes rotomolding
In this section, the conversation revolves around the new decree that creates national targets for plastic packaging: it starts with 22% recycled content and 32% recovery, with the trend to increase to 80% by 2040. We talked about how manufacturers and importers are at the center of the obligation and how rotomolded drums and tanks can be directly covered, forcing a real gymnastics routine in product composition and tax classification, opening space even for 'balancing acts' to comply, like what happened with chocolate candies that were reclassified as wafers to pay less tax. In the end, it's clear that the plastics market as a whole will feel the pressure in a chain reaction, and it's therefore essential to have a partner accounting firm to guide on reclassifications and avoid fines, while we show practical examples of which packaging is included — from primary to tertiary, plus similar items like disposable cups and cutlery.
If your product is being categorized as plastic packaging, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary, you're already going to be covered by this decree
▶ Watch at approximately 8:53
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3
Packaging manufacturers now need 22% recycled content — and enforcement comes in a cascade
The conversation detailed how the reverse logistics obligation doesn't stop at the resin or drum manufacturer: it goes down and up the chain like a current of charges. We talked about the example of soda and beer crates, where even the plastic wrap around the cans is considered packaging and falls under the rule. And we showed that, in practice, each link — from the manufacturer to the corner bar — will have to demand from its supplier a product already certified with the minimum percentage of recycled material, under threat of fines, creating a cycle where no one can stay out.
I'm not going to buy your product because it's not certified. Yeah, if it doesn't have a certificate, you'll be fined.
▶ Watch at approximately 14:19
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4
The Recycling Decree: From theory to real impact on the factory floor
In this section, we moved from the excitement about the concept of the new recycling decree — which promises to revolutionize the plastics chain — to the reality of its implementation in Brazil, where we are still taking baby steps in separating trash. While countries like Canada already punish those who don't recycle properly and offer credits for packaging, here we discussed the need for education and the challenges that packaging manufacturers, importers, and even sectors like agribusiness will face. The conversation shows the decree goes beyond paper, requiring adaptations across the entire production chain, and we already prepared to dive deeper into the topic in future episodes.
Brazilians are still at the stage of learning to throw trash in the trash, right?
▶ Watch at approximately 19:35
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5
Rotomolding in the crosshairs of reverse logistics: Understanding the 22% recycled and 32% recovered
In this section, we put our finger on the industry's wound: the regulation that already covers manufacturers of rotomolded packaging and charges targets for recycled content and waste recovery. We cleared up the most common confusion in the market, showing that the obligation doesn't depend on the product being plastic, but on how it is classified and placed on the market, including for cooperatives that are starting to demand compliance. And we went further: we unveiled the crucial difference between the 32% recovered material — which can be solved by purchasing recycling credits, like a carbon system — and the 22% recycled content in the packaging itself, which requires a real change in the product's formulation and studying the tax classification.
The central point is how the product is placed on the market, not whether it's plastic or not
▶ Watch at approximately 24:56
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6
Recycling Credits: How to prove your bag made it back into the cycle
When we talk about reverse logistics, the confusion is widespread: after all, who pays for what, and how do you prove the plastic actually came back? In this chapter, we unveiled the difference between recovery and recycled content, showing in practice how a supermarket that puts its brand on a plastic bag must account for every ton it places on the market — even if the waste doesn't come back exactly to it. The path involves bodies like SENIR and certifications like CCRLL, which are starting to track material from the recycler's door, formalizing a sector that is currently invisible and raising the inevitable discussion about the new costs of this formalization.
Those bags I bought from my supplier, I need to go to a recycler and say: "Look, I consumed ten tons of plastic here." It's like he goes to your business and buys thirty-two percent of the material, you understand?
▶ Watch at approximately 29:59
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7
The decree that will shake up rotomolding: Those who don't adapt could get kicked
On the factory floor, the burning question is: how will the traceability of recycled material and its impact on rotomolded products work in practice? In this chapter, we showed that implementation will weigh on the entrepreneur's pocket and require registration with SEREIA, but we revealed that those using virgin raw materials can, yes, see cost reductions — as long as they are already prepared, because market pressure will push the entire chain toward recycled content, even in smaller percentages. We delivered the verdict: those working with recycled material should adapt, the market will grow; those dependent on virgin material need to be aware of their options to avoid being caught off guard — and take advantage while the virgin resin crisis still favors those already in the game.
Anyone working with virgin raw materials, pay attention to the market options so you don't get kicked in the legs
▶ Watch at approximately 35:09
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8
Can recycled water tanks contaminate your product?
On the factory floor, the nagging doubt: is all recycled material suitable for any application, even food contact? We cleared up this misconception by showing that contamination and loss of properties don't disappear during recovery — and that traceability is key. And most importantly: we revealed that specific additives and partners exist to help mitigate these risks, making recycled material safe and viable.
Just because you're recycling the water tank doesn't mean it's suitable to become a water tank
▶ Watch at approximately 40:14
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9
Recycled Bags Are Not a Shortcut: The Decree Transforming Waste into Credits
On the factory floor, the pressing question is whether switching raw material to 100% recycled content resolves compliance with the new decree. We showed it's not that simple: even those who buy only recycled material are still waste generators and must prove the recovery of 32% of what they consume — and that's where recycling credits come in, with a differentiated price for those already using recycled material, but never as an exemption from the obligation. We explained what the decree actually requires, what it doesn't cover, and how enforcement will collect in practice, so no one is caught off guard when the alphabet soup comes knocking.
It is not correct to state that using recycled material alone already resolves compliance with this decree
▶ Watch at approximately 45:15
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10
Traceability and Credit: How the Right Accounting Can Change Your Cash Flow
When it comes to new legislation, we reminded everyone that the problem isn't just on the factory floor: getting the product's CNAE wrong means paying more tax and risking fines. So, we showed that CX Contábil analyzes case by case and product by product, and we told the real example of a company that saved 480 thousand reais in just one quarter. And we closed with the news of a partnership to find credit lines — including international ones — that fit each person's needs.
It's not your CNAE, it's your product, what it's intended for. So he'll analyze case by case, product by product, and you can be sure you'll be able to save money with this
▶ Watch at approximately 51:00
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11
Credit to Expand and the Law Changing Plastic Packaging Until 2040
In this section, we talked about a door that opens for those who want to grow: a partner that facilitates special credit lines, including with grace periods of up to two years, financing even Chinese equipment through a German bank — and we told how the business's own profit can pay for the machine. Next, we explained the new rule published in 2025 that mandates the reverse logistics of plastic packaging and the use of recycled material, with targets increasing until 2040 — and we warned that non-compliance can be costly, from fines to the loss of environmental certifications.
You buy the equipment there, work, the very profit you have pays for the equipment over time
▶ Watch at approximately 56:06
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12
We close with a warning about adaptations and show where to find molds and material recovery
We talked about the segments that will need to adapt and how notifications and impacts can progress, remembering that you can't always take the mold out of production because of a small defect. We mentioned where the listener can find support, whether in the WhatsApp group with forms about porosity and material recovery, or in the marketplace with options like PET factories, playgrounds, and tanks of various capacities. And we reinforced the invitation to follow Start Rotta on Wednesday, in addition to suggesting the use of recycled material and Mirai Química's powder release agent to avoid issues with parts sticking.
We know that many times you can't even take the mold out of production. Sometimes due to a small defect there, you just can't get it through.
▶ Watch at approximately 1:01:08
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13
Additives That Make it Work: Rescuing Recycled Plastic in Rotomolding
We talked about the challenge of using recycled material that arrives with irregular quality, remembering that there are specific additives to help the plastic bind during extrusion and in other processes. We recounted the case of Mirai Química's complete line for waste recovery, and we also challenged people to check out episode 29, where Sato Okamoto detailed the topic. Finally, we reinforced the invitation for listeners to ask questions directly on our WhatsApp or through the Portal hub — because a good journey is one we take together.
Sometimes you pick up a recycled material that isn't of good quality for you, when you're extruding, you can use these additives.
▶ Watch at approximately 1:06:29
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