Mineral waters in Brazil: an analysis of the market and institutional framework for integrated and sustainable management

This article presents an overview of the mineral water market in Brazil, based on three important considerations: first, the market structure prevailing in this segment is analyzed, addressing the evolution and main groups that make up the Brazilian market for mineral waters; next, we make a brief reference to the legal and institutional framework on mineral waters; and finally, we analyze the directions for integrated and sustainable environmental management in this segment. In this way, we sought to contextualize the market's legal, institutional and economic parameters, as well as the implications of these parameters that can be decisive in the environmental management process, which companies can use to enhance the excellence of that process. These changes imply that mineral water be included in the national policy of water resources, named the PNRH, and not as an ore. It should also be included in the National Plan of Solid Waste (PNRS), with a complete view of the product life cycle.