Work with us
Guatemala

GUATEMALA

Guatemala

Our first major project in Guatemala is cleaning the bay of Puerto San Thomas, Izabal.

We have a limited amount of rivers which will be the first cleaned with RiverImpact Barriers in Guatemala.

In cooperation with Fundaeco, the largest NGO in Guatemala and heavily involved in the protection of the eco-systems in Izabal, RiverImpact will implement fourteen RiverImpact Barriers in seven small rivers that pollute the bay of Puerto San Thomas.

The barriers will stop any debris floating in the bay. Fundaeco, together with the involvement of the local communities, will clean and maintain the barriers. The local communities will separate the debris and plastics and will sell the separate plastics for recycling, to have additional income for social projects in their communities. All coordinated by Fundaeco.

The Challenge

  • The Bay of Santo Thomas de Castillo is polluted by 7 small rivers.

  • Each river will carry two RiverImpact Barriers to stop all waste and plastic coming into the Santo Thomas bay.

  • Each Barrier is operated four families. They maintain the barriers, take out garbage and separate recyclable plastics.

Rivers that most pollute the bay of Santo Tomás

  • River Los Escobanos

  • River Quebrada Seca

  • River Escondido

  • River Cacao

  • River San Agustin

  • River La Romane

  • River Esperanza del Mar

0 %
Los Escobanos
0 %
Quebrada Seca
0 %
Escondido
0 %
Cacao
0 %
San Agustin
0 %
La Ramane
0 %
Esperanza del Mar
In Cooperation with

FUNDAECO

For over 30 years working for the conservation of the biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources of Guatemala.

FUNDAECO has helped establish and manages 26 conservacion areas in Guatemala, Has teamed up with over 100 communities for the promotion of sustainable development.

Has implemented a monitoring program for birds during 27 years and has been a pioneer in the design of Carbon Credit initiatives.

Through the project Cleaning the Bay of Santo Thomas, FUNDAECO wants to involve the local communities of Santo Thomas in collecting and separating the plastics, captured by the River Impact barriers which will be put in all seven rivers in the Bay.

With these barriers we can extract thousands of tons of trash, which will be separated and sold to local recyclers to generate revenues for social projects in the community.

Our program cooperates with existing programs of the Municipality of Puerto Barrios, GIZ, SICA y CCA, creating more consiousness for a circular economy and educate people and creating a cleaner Bay!

Bay of San Thomas,

Puerto Barrios, Guatemala

In Guatemala we work with Fundaeco the largest NGO in Guatemala. They manage several natural reserves in the area of Puerto Barrios.

We are jointly developing a master plan to clean the Bay of San Thomas. Initially, Fundaeco has purchased 2 barriers for 2 rivers.

After installation the local communities (in conjunction with Fundaeco) will be responsible for the operation of the barriers.

Invema will buy the recyclables.  Revenue will benefit the local community and cover the costs of operations.

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