We Have Installed a Groundbreaking 150-Meter Barrier in Guatemala’s Motagua River Puerto Barrios, Guatemala — At RiverImpact, we are thrilled to share a significant milestone in our mission to protect aquatic ecosystems. We have successfully installed a 150-meter-long barrier in the Motagua River, one of the most polluted rivers in South America. This achievement marks a crucial step forward in our fight against plastic pollution and demonstrates the positive impact we can achieve through innovative and sustainable solutions. Over the past three months, we have worked diligently to design and install this barrier, along with its anchors, just in time for Guatemala’s rainy season. This period is particularly critical, as flash floods carry thousands of tonnes of plastic waste through the river into the ocean. We know that 80% of ocean-bound plastic is transported during this time of year. Simple and Effective Technology Our barrier is designed to be affordable, simple, and most importantly, effective. On the first day of operation, we successfully intercepted 500 cubic meters of plastic, equivalent to 50 truckloads of waste. This achievement highlights the capability of our technology to effectively prevent plastic from entering the ocean, even under extreme weather conditions. From Collection to Recycling Once the plastic is captured by the barrier, we transport it to our sorting area, where a team of experienced waste collectors classifies and separates the materials. Plastics like PET will be sold to recyclers, while others, such as Styrofoam, will be responsibly incinerated. We are also setting aside plastics like HDPE and LDPE to be processed at our own recycling plant, which we plan to have operational by the end of this year. By recycling the plastic we intercept, we not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also generate the necessary revenue to sustain and expand our projects. Collaboration and Community Support This success would not have been possible without the support of our valuable partners: Deltares, Fundaeco, the Institute of Climate Change, and the Municipality of Puerto Barrios. Their collaboration has been essential in making this initiative a reality. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the world’s rivers and oceans, and this achievement in the Motagua River is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more exciting news coming soon! Simple and Effective Technology Our barrier is designed to be affordable, simple, and most importantly, effective. On the first day of operation, we successfully intercepted 500 cubic meters of plastic, equivalent to 50 truckloads of waste. This achievement highlights the capability of our technology to effectively prevent plastic from entering the ocean, even under extreme weather conditions. From Collection to Recycling Once the plastic is captured by the barrier, we transport it to our sorting area, where a team of experienced waste collectors classifies and separates the materials. Plastics like PET will be sold to recyclers, while others, such as Styrofoam, will be responsibly incinerated. We are also setting aside plastics like HDPE and LDPE to be processed at our own recycling plant, which we plan to have operational by the end of this year. By recycling the plastic we intercept, we not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also generate the necessary revenue to sustain and expand our projects. Collaboration and Community Support This success would not have been possible without the support of our valuable partners: Deltares, Fundaeco, the Institute of Climate Change, and the Municipality of Puerto Barrios. Their collaboration has been essential in making this initiative a reality. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the world’s rivers and oceans, and this achievement in the Motagua River is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more exciting news coming soon!
RiverImpact Signs Agreement with Municipality to Clean Rivers
RiverImpact Signs Agreement with Municipality to Clean Izabal Bay Significant progress has been made in the fight against pollution in Izabal Bay. An agreement has been signed with the local municipality to install 15 RiverImpact Barriers across key inflows to the bay, effectively intercepting waste before it reaches the sea. Additionally, the municipality will take responsibility for transporting non-recyclable waste to the Los Pinteros landfill. This agreement marks a crucial step towards the protection of Izabal Bay and its surrounding environment. The barriers will play a vital role in reducing the amount of waste entering the bay, while the municipality’s commitment to proper waste management ensures that collected debris is handled responsibly. Since its inception, RiverImpact has been a staunch advocate for the cleanup and preservation of aquatic ecosystems, working tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our waters. We have organized cleanup campaigns, collaborated with community groups, and partnered with other organizations to further our mission. The agreement with the municipality is a testament to RiverImpact’s unwavering dedication to the protection of Izabal Bay. With the installation of these barriers and the municipality’s commitment to waste management, we anticipate a significant reduction in the amount of pollution affecting this vital body of water. Moreover, this agreement serves as a call to action for other regions and municipalities across the country to implement similar measures to safeguard their own aquatic environments. Collaboration between organizations, government agencies, and community groups is essential to achieving lasting and meaningful impact. In conclusion, the agreement between RiverImpact and the municipality represents a pivotal move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for Izabal Bay. The urgent need to clean up and protect our waterways is clear, and it is imperative that we work together to preserve this crucial resource.
RiverImpact with the Cooperation of Fundaeco Installs a Barrier in the Escondido River
RIVER IMPACT WITH THE COOPERATION OF FUNDAECO INSTALLS A BARRIER IN THE ESCONDIDO RIVER The Founder of RiverImpact, Frank Behrens, signed the Cooperation Agreement with the Municipality of Puerto Barrios and FUNDAECO, which will allow working for the benefit of the environment. Frank Behrens, representative of the Dutch Organization, stated that the project contemplates the installation of a RiverImpact Barrier in the rivers located in Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla, this fence is the second to be installed in Izabal on the Escondido River on Calle 14 and Avenida 8. The MARN delegate, a representative of Fundaeco and Perenco participated. RiverImpact has taken steps to combat plastic pollution in the Escondido River. With the aim of protecting aquatic life and improving water quality, the organization has installed a fence that crosses the river. The fence, built with resistant materials, is 25 meters long, with strong anchors to withstand strong currents and is designed to capture plastic waste before it enters the water. According to environmental experts, plastic is a major source of river pollution and is often carried by currents from upstream communities. The initiative has been well received by the local community, which has been involved in cleanup efforts and educational initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of reducing plastic use. Local authorities have also promised to apply stricter regulations on the disposal of plastic waste, thus in the not too distant future to provide resources for recycling and waste management. The installation of the fence has been praised by environmental organizations, which have praised the organization’s proactive approach to solving the problem of plastic pollution. “This is a great example of how communities can come together to make a difference in their local environment,” said a representative of a local environmental group. This project is a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our rivers and the wildlife that depend on them. With continued efforts from the local community and government, the installation of the fence is just the beginning of a cleaner, healthier river for all. The organization is carrying out a project to stop plastic pollution in the rivers of the department of Izabal. The project consists of the installation of 15 fences in the rivers of the region to prevent plastic waste from slipping into the sea. For now, 2 of the 15 targeted fences have already been installed. Likewise, they have been working with the local community to identify the best places to install the fences. These fences are built with recycled materials and designed to resist the force of currents. This will help prevent plastic debris from slipping into the sea, which will contribute to the conservation of marine life and the health of coastal ecosystems. In addition to the installation of the fences, they are also working with the local community to promote awareness about plastic pollution. They are organizing educational workshops to teach people about the importance of recycling and reducing the use of plastics. They are also working with local governments to implement policies that help reduce the amount of plastic that is dumped into rivers. Our project is expected to help improve the quality of water in the rivers of Izabal and contribute to the conservation of marine life. They are committed to working with the local community to achieve a cleaner, healthier future for all.