At RiverImpact, our Projects in the Bay of Izabal are dedicated to protecting aquatic ecosystems through the responsible management of plastic waste in rivers. Our innovative and sustainable approach not only prevents plastics from reaching the oceans but also transforms waste into a valuable resource. Our mission is clear: to protect and preserve the environment for present and future generations by balancing environmental sustainability with economic profitability.
We have installed five River Impact barrier, in Guatemala we call them “Geobardas”, barriers made of a recycled textile called Geotextile. In five rivers we stop all the trash and plastic which passes through these small rivers every day. These rivers flow through areas where the waste collection is difficult and challenging. Therefore unfortunately people throw their house hold trash directly into these rivers. With the barriers installed our team of experienced waste pickers goes to the barriers every day to collect the plastic waste. By installing five impact barriers, known as geobardas, in Río Escondido, Río Las Escobas, Río San Agustín, Río Derrumbe, and Río Quebrada Seca, we have successfully intercepted plastic waste before it can reach the ocean.
Our Geobardas are designed using recycled and environmentally responsible materials, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. These barriers work by capturing solid waste floating in the river currents, allowing for efficient collection and separation of recyclable materials. Through a rigorous classification process, we identify and separate recyclable plastics, ensuring these materials can be repurposed into new products.
The results achieved in the Bay of Izabal have been remarkably positive. Our Geobardas have demonstrated exceptional capacity and effectiveness in capturing plastic waste, significantly contributing to the cleanliness of the bay. Thanks to this success, we have validated not only the functionality of our barriers but also the feasibility of expanding our technology to other rivers.
The effectiveness of our Geobardas in the Bay of Izabal has enabled us to take this technology to the next level with the installation of a barrier on the Motagua River. While this project is of great significance, we have chosen to dedicate a specific webpage to highlight the results and challenges associated with it. The success in the Bay of Izabal has been a crucial precursor to tackling this larger challenge, and we look forward to sharing more details soon.
At RiverImpact, each project is an opportunity to demonstrate that it is possible to protect our aquatic ecosystems while generating value from waste. Our work in the Bay of Izabal stands as a testament to the effectiveness of our solutions and the positive impact we can have on the environment. We will continue to lead the way towards a more sustainable future, ensuring that our rivers, bays, and oceans are preserved for generations to come.
