Epidemics and Circular Economy: how waste management can help combat diseases?

In Brazil, arboviral diseases—viral illnesses transmitted mainly by mosquitoes and ticks—often reach epidemic levels during the summer. The most well-known include dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.

Arlene Carvalho, from the Circular Movement

With the arrival of summer in Brazil, increasingly high temperatures and heavy rains are not the only concerns. Even before the end of the first quarter, the country is already experiencing a significant increase in arboviral disease cases. As of February 17 this year, the Brazilian Ministry of Health recorded 365,456 probable cases of dengue, along with thousands of cases of chikungunya, Zika, and Oropouche fever. Although this is nothing new for Brazilians, the situation continues to impact not only the healthcare system but also the economy and people's daily lives in a significant way.

But what are arboviral diseases? According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, they are viral diseases primarily transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks. Symptoms range from mild fever to severe complications, which, in the most critical cases, can lead to death. Some of the most well-known include dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, and Oropouche fever.

The transmitting insects, known as vectors, become carriers of the virus when they bite an infected person and then pass the virus to others through subsequent bites, completing the cycle. But how does the Circular Economy fit into this discussion?

Image: Reproduction/Agência Brasil

Less waste, more health

One of the main causes of the excessive spread of disease-carrying insects is the improper disposal of solid waste. Old tires, plastic bottles, glass cups and jars, cans, milk cartons, disposable packaging, and abandoned debris—among many other containers—collect rainwater and become breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti, for example. According to the ambassador and coordinator of the Circular Movement, Prof. Dr. Edson Grandisoli, other factors also contribute.

"High temperatures, heavy rainfall, and poorly managed waste create the perfect combination for the proliferation of disease vectors. Arboviral epidemics arise in this scenario, harming thousands of people, affecting the healthcare system, and impacting the economy. Prevention remains the best remedy," he explains.

When we talk about the Circular Economy, we are referring to a model that aims, among other things, to reduce waste and the need for new raw materials by promoting the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials. However, for this to work, proper waste disposal throughout the entire production and consumption chain is essential. In practical terms, the Circular Economy contributes to public health through actions such as:

Recycling and repurposing tires – Improperly discarded tires are one of the main breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti. Selective collection and recycling programs help reduce improper disposal and allow for their transformation into eco-friendly asphalt, flooring, and even furniture.

Efficient urban waste management – The combination of selective collection and proper disposal reduces the number of mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, reverse logistics projects encourage companies to collect post-consumer packaging and products.

Environmental education – Communities that take responsibility for their waste also help eliminate potential breeding sites and promote a culture of collective responsibility in waste management.

Basic sanitation – Sewage systems and the regular supply of potable water, along with proper waste management, help reduce the spread of Aedes aegypti. Efficient drainage systems prevent water accumulation, while proper waste handling eliminates potential mosquito breeding sites.

The key point is that these and other actions must be coordinated and involve all social actors. Co-responsibility is a crucial concept in this context. As Grandisoli explains:

“Proper waste management, especially its correct disposal, is essential to reducing the number of vector breeding sites. This involves not only ensuring the minimum infrastructure for collection and recycling, for instance, but also fostering behavioral changes in the population regarding waste disposal. In other words, controlling epidemics always requires joint actions that, in this case, align directly with the principles of the Circular Economy.”

Outstanding initiatives

Some initiatives have already demonstrated how Circular Economy can be an ally in the fight against arboviruses. Cities that have implemented selective waste collection and material reuse programs have recorded a significant reduction in mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, projects that use recyclable waste for urban furniture construction and pavement contribute to preventing the formation of breeding grounds. Check out some examples:

Curitiba (PR) – The Lixo que Não é Lixo program encourages recycling and reduces the amount of improperly discarded waste, preventing the accumulation of materials that could become mosquito breeding sites

São Paulo (SP) – The Recicla Sampa Movement is an initiative by the household and healthcare waste collection concessionaires in São Paulo, with institutional support from the São Paulo City Hall. Through a digital communication platform, it aims to inform the population and increase the volume of recyclable waste collection in the city.

Image: Reproduction/Agência Brasil

Recife (PE) – The EcoRecife initiative aims to improve waste management in the capital of Pernambuco through selective waste collection and 10 EcoStations spread across the city. These stations receive old furniture and small construction debris, preventing improper disposal. They operate from Monday to Saturday, from 8 AM to 4 PM (except on holidays), accepting up to 1m³ of waste per day, except for hospital, industrial, and electronic waste.

Thus, the Circular Economy invites us to reflect on how the prevention of arboviruses requires an integrated approach and that reducing waste also means reducing the number of sick people. Investing in recycling, proper waste disposal, and environmental education can save lives and lower the costs associated with epidemic outbreaks.

Image: Reproduction/Agência Brasil

It's important to remember

In addition to these measures, it’s important to highlight another powerful tool in the prevention of some arboviruses: vaccination. Yellow fever, for example, can be prevented with a single dose of the vaccine, available for free at health centers across Brazil. Since 2017, this one dose has been sufficient for lifelong protection.

Dengue also has a vaccine that is offered through the Unified Health System to adolescents aged 10 to 14 in two doses. However, the uptake is still low: in 2024, the Ministry of Health distributed 6.5 million doses, but only 3.3 million were administered, and many adolescents did not complete the vaccination schedule, compromising immunization. Getting vaccinated is an act of collective protection. Go to a health center in your city and update your vaccination.