15 Years After the National Solid Waste Policy in the City of São Paulo: Timid Advances in Recycling

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and the second in Latin America. Its domestic waste production reached 3,515,678.96 tons in 2024. Historically, the city has a low recycling rate, and several laws and policies have been implemented to reverse this situation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there have been advances in the recycling of household solid waste in São Paulo 15 years after the National Solid Waste Policy, from municipal and intra-urban perspectives. The extended period studied and segregated data by regional administration represent the innovative approach of this manuscript. The methodology consisted of a case study with an analysis of the legislation, official data research and evaluation of goals, and socio-spatial distribution. The separate collection rate grew from 0.69% in 2006 to 2.85% in 2024, but this volume represents less than 10% of the target originally projected for the period. A socio-spatial inequality was found as well as a lack of dedicated collection for the organic fraction. It can be concluded that progress is incremental, but limited by structural barriers and urban inequities. Results indicate for São Paulo and for other large cities, mainly in low and middle-income countries, recycling success cannot depend on legislation as it is also correlated with demographic factors, such as educational level, and to the need of targeted policies for a progressive increase in source-separated recycling.