They foster a good environment: sustainable projects in Rio de Janeiro

It’s been nearly 15 years since Regina Tchelly started her dream with just R$140. In September 2011, after raising funds from neighbors in Morro da Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira, she hosted a workshop on making the most of food. Since then, she’s become a reference in the field, traveling the world to change how people think about food. The project’s mission is to raise awareness about every stage of the food cycle – from shopping to preparation to waste – always aiming to minimize waste. According to Regina, changing consumption habits can, in fact, end hunger. Find out more: @favela_organica.

This foodtech startup has been growing nonstop since arriving in Rio in 2022, now boasting over 800,000 users and 750 registered businesses. Here’s how it works: items that would otherwise go to waste – either because they're nearing their expiration date or are artisanal products that can't be kept for the next day – are sold at up to 70% off. They’re packed in “surprise bags,” and the contents are only revealed after purchase. The goal of reducing food waste has led to the rescue of nearly 500 tons of food in Rio alone. Download the app: @foodtosavebr.

Founded in 2006 by chef David Hertz, this NGO uses gastronomy as a tool for social change, focusing on education, inclusion, and fighting food waste. With support from foundations, companies, chefs, and renowned restaurants, it offers professional culinary courses to low-income youth, not only in Rio but across Brazil and Mexico. During the 2016 Olympics, they opened the Refettorio Gastromotiva, which still operates as a community kitchen serving dinners to vulnerable individuals. Meals are made by Gastromotiva’s chefs using rescued ingredients with guest chefs from around the world supervising. Volunteer here: @gastromotiva.

Part of Rio’s Municipal Environment Secretariat, this program provides technical assistance and support for urban agriculture initiatives. First, a team assesses the site’s feasibility, considering factors like water access, sunlight, and land conditions. Once a garden is established in a community, half of the produce is sold for extra income, while the other half is donated to families in need. In schools, 100% of it is donated for meals or given to students and staff. Residents can suggest vacant public land for gardens, and their requests will be evaluated. Get involved: @hortascariocas_smac.

This Duque de Caxias-based company, run by women and developed by the Instituto Sinal do Vale, won Firjan’s Sustainability Award. They harvest and sell products made from green jackfruit, the world’s largest edible fruit, which grows abundantly in the Atlantic Forest. Their recipes include croquettes, kibbeh, and jackfruit pulp. The project helps generate income for families while contributing to environmental balance by controlling jackfruit overgrowth, which can stifle other trees in the biome. Currently, around 7,000 jackfruits are harvested annually, each containing up to 500 seeds. To order: @madrefrutos.

The company offers services and consulting for the development, structuring, and signage of trails, parks, and natural attractions. The goal is to promote visits to these areas, engaging visitors in their conservation while also generating visibility for services and products offered by the local community. The platform also helps managers, free of charge, with statistical data, tools, and user communication. You can opt for a full consultancy or simply choose a specific service that meets your needs. Sign up at @etrilhas.

One of the main initiatives of the Ilhas do Rio project – a research and environmental education effort focused on marine conservation along Rio's coast – is the monitoring of humpback whales. The goal is to identify priority areas for the conservation of this species, which was once endangered. These friendly creatures are regular visitors to our shores during their migration, traveling from Antarctica to warmer waters along Brazil’s northeast coast. Recent data from the institute shows that 230 groups and 475 whales have been spotted in the last decade, with a few newborns sighted in recent years, suggesting that Rio might become a breeding ground. To donate, visit @ilhasdorio.

This NGO’s mission is to generate and share knowledge about the marine environment, with a focus on human well-being and the natural resources life depends on. They aim to promote more sustainable practices and make science more accessible through environmental education activities and documentaries, like Baía Urbana, which highlights our own Guanabara Bay. Marine biologist Ricardo Gomes leads the initiative, setting an example at home as well. His daughter, Nina Gomes, began diving and participating in clean-up efforts as a baby and, by age 5, became an ambassador for the Aqualung Ecological Institute. You can often spot the two of them doing good work on the beaches. Learn more at @institutomarurbano.

“Aruanã” is another name for the green sea turtle, commonly found in the Niterói area, where this project was born in 2010. It soon expanded to Guanabara Bay and surrounding municipalities, aiming to monitor and preserve all species of this charismatic animal. The project collaborates with public and private institutions, including the Petrobras Socio-Environmental Program, to raise awareness about marine environmental issues and find practical solutions. This year, they launched a web series detailing their more than ten years of work protecting sea turtles, available for free on YouTube. To learn more, visit @projetoaruana.

Plastic bottle caps and aluminum can tabs can have an even nobler purpose than "just" being recycled. With this project, launched in 2018, these items are separated and sold for recycling, with the proceeds going to animal shelters and protectors. The organization also connects volunteers with companies interested in supporting this cause. People can contribute by sending their caps to collection points. So far, nearly 500 tons of material have been recycled, helping over 5,000 animals. They also organize adoption fairs, tree-planting events with NGOs, and beach clean-ups. To contribute, check out @rioecopets.

The first permanent circular fashion market in Brazil opened its doors this year at Aerotown Power Center in Barra da Tijuca and has already generated over 1.5 million reais in sales, attracting around 50,000 visitors and bringing together about 150 brands, from thrift stores to major labels offering exclusive sustainable collections. Among the well-known brands are Arezzo Lume, with a line of 100% sustainable shoes, and Purpose by Zinzane, which reuses waste from their main store. Ana Mayworm, the market’s creator, aims to redefine the shopping experience and raise awareness that consumers can (and should) reduce the high impact of the fashion industry. Visit @cyclemarketrio.

One of the company's standout features is its innovative approach to material disposal. They don’t just create eco-friendly products; they also solve a significant issue in the market – what to do with banners, industrial uniforms, and jeans after their use. Instead of being discarded, these items are repurposed to create things like bags, backpacks, cases, accessories, corporate gifts, and shoes. The project also organizes eco-workshops for companies and schools, offering participants an interactive experience that connects them with nature. The headquarters is located at the Nova Friburgo Cable Car, which also features a physical store. To shop, visit @ecomodas.oficial.

You might not realize it, but those beautiful kitesurf kites streaking across the sky take more than 300 years to decompose. They can last through many hours of flight or be rendered useless immediately if torn. That’s why Kitecoat, a brand created by architect and sailor Alexandre Rezende alongside his wife, Paula Lagrotta, is so innovative. They transform old kites into jackets, shorts, trench coats, and stylish eco-bags, donated by practitioners, schools, and storage facilities. The coolest part? You can participate in the creative process, and each item comes with a label telling the story of everywhere it’s been. The pieces are sold both at the Museum of Tomorrow and online. To purchase, check out @kitecoat.

Ever dreamed of buying exclusive pieces from major brands at super affordable prices? Oficina Muda turns that dream into reality with their upcycling fashion company, repurposing items that didn’t pass quality control from partner brands, giving these products a new life. Whether through repairs or entirely new designs, Oficina Muda breathes creativity into each piece. Since its launch in 2019, over 750,000 garments have been saved from waste. Another arm of the project deals with textile scraps – data shows that 170,000 tons are produced annually in Brazil alone. To minimize this impact, they distribute leftover fabric to artisans throughout the Rio State through the Retalhos Project, allowing them to create and sell their products. To shop, visit @oficinamuda.

This upcycling fashion brand takes used umbrellas and turns them into vibrant, personality-packed pieces, encouraging more conscious consumption and reducing the amount of polluting waste. Their products include fanny packs, bags, t-shirts, jackets, and hats – all available for purchase on their website – along with custom corporate gifts. Since launching in 2018 in Petrópolis, they’ve managed to reuse over three tons of umbrella material just in the Serrana Region. The business is run by Mara Pereira and her children, Juliana and Tiago Pinto. Want your own? Check out @relevostore.

Founded by Léo Jarlicht, this Rio-based company is a lab developing materials like “Vaique” fabric, made from plastics that are usually considered unrecyclable, such as packaging, bubble wrap, and grocery bags. (In Brazil, 13 billion of these bags are discarded each year.) This year, they launched the collection “Que saco! trabalho+trabalho”, featuring bags and accessories designed for everyday functionality. The business collaborates with waste collectors, cooperatives, and seamstresses, creating connections with the city beyond just consumers. Check them out at @vaique.vaique.

The brand led by Rio native Najat Hassan works with certified natural and sustainable fabrics sourced from national suppliers. The dyeing of the pieces is done with organic materials – seeds, bark, leaves, flowers, and roots – obtained through cooperatives and family farming associations from the Cerrado, southern Brazil, the Amazon, and Brazil’s Sertão. In addition to offering sustainable products, the company also helps boost the family incomes of the communities involved, encouraging the country’s sustainable economy. They are a part of TexBrasil’s Management Committee, representing the Brazilian Textile Industry Association in sustainability initiatives and support for internationalization. To learn more, visit @sejavesto.

Born in 2023 in the Maré community, Ecoclima is all about circular economy and climate action, aiming to ease the effects of climate change and human activity on the environment within Maré’s favelas. The project conducts participatory assessments with residents and community leaders to build an action plan, and provides training for teams to implement environmental technologies that cut down on impacts. Think recycling, water reuse, heat reduction, and mangrove restoration. It’s a collaboration between Redes da Maré, Petrobras, and the Environmental Engineering Department at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EA-UFRJ). Want to help out? Check them out at @redesdamare.

Ever hear the saying “good karma always comes back”? Well, Magikk takes that to a whole new level. This startup, launched by Rio native Taz de Alencar, rewards people with digital currency (called karma) for doing good deeds – whether it’s donating books, carpooling, joining beach cleanups, or making financial donations. You can then use this karma to buy products and experiences from over 80 brands on their marketplace. With more than 9,000 users and half a million reais raised, Magikk proves that doing good has its perks! Want in? Visit @magikkarma.

Miuc, the Mapping of Urban Climate Initiatives, is a pioneer project spotlighting efforts in Brazilian cities that positively impact the climate agenda. Launched in 2020, it already features nearly 100 initiatives across Rio, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Vitória, and Curitiba. The goal? To spread awareness and recognition of projects that build resilient communities adapted to the effects of climate change. To get involved: @rede.miuc.

Founded in 2015 in the Babilônia favela, this NGO brings together local leaders, electricians, and foreign experts in solar energy to tackle energy poverty and push for a fair energy transition. They’ve brought solar tech to schools and inns, and in 2021, they created Brazil’s first Solar Energy Cooperative in a favela. It’s all about sustainable development for low-income communities. Want to join the revolution? Follow @revolusolar.

Just opened at the beginning of the year, Rio Eco Cantão in São Conrado is the first fully sustainable kiosk in the city. It’s a pilot project for promoting good environmental practices along Rio’s coast, powered by solar energy and using biodegradable packaging. Plus, they organize beach cleanups, educational talks, and even plant fruit trees in nearby communities. The menu, crafted by chef Clara Oliveira, is loaded with vegan, vegetarian, organic, and regional Brazilian dishes. Sounds tempting? Drop by @rioecocantao.

This company promotes the circular economy through environmental education and free e-waste collection. Got old or broken electronics lying around? Just schedule a pickup online, and someone will swing by to take it off your hands, no need to leave the house. It’s a great way to dispose of these highly polluting items properly, instead of sending them to illegal landfills. Since launching two years ago, they’ve collected over 250 tons of e-waste. Need a pickup? Visit @circoolabrasil.

Opened in 2002 in Gávea, this space, named after architect Hélio Guimarães Pellegrino, is all about turning urban waste into art. Through workshops, exhibitions, and talks, artists and artisans show visitors how to recycle, promote urban cleanliness, and boost environmental awareness. It’s free and focuses on both environmental concerns and income generation through art. This pioneering project was created by the Rio City Hall through Comlurb (Rio's waste management company). Check it out @galpaodasartescomlurb.

Brothers João and Pedro Azevedo launched Maré Relógios in 2015, combining sustainability and innovation to craft eco-friendly products. They began making wristwatches from discarded wood but soon expanded to using recycled plastic, bike tire tubes, leftover leather, and organic dyes. Today, 80% of the materials in their products are either recycled, reused, or biodegradable. They’ve even teamed up with the Rocinha community to help turn recycled plastic into 3D-printed eyewear frames. Want to sport one? Check out @marerelogios.

This platform democratizes and tracks selective waste collection and reverse logistics. Through a subscription, waste generators can connect with collection operators, who can then plan efficient routes. The recyclers also benefit by purchasing materials through a streamlined process. Everyone wins, and the planet gets a break. Want to join? Check @minha_coleta.

Pono Upcycling, a creative project founded by Fábio Martinazzo, turns discarded bottles from Rio’s beaches into cool, handcrafted products like cups, candles, pots, and vases. The process involves eight stages, from collection to sanding with five different grits. So far, they’ve upcycled over 11,500 bottles, saving 2,700 liters of water and 3,500 kilowatts of energy in the process. Additionally, a portion of sales goes toward providing vegan meals for vulnerable people and supporting an NGO fighting for socio-environmental justice. Ready to shop sustainably? Visit @pono.upcycling.

This city-led project, launched in 2022, turns collected materials like plastic, glass, cans, cardboard, and metal into credits that residents can use in bakeries and supermarkets. Yes, you read that right – trash for food! There are 13 collection points across communities, and the project has prevented nearly 300 tons of waste from being dumped irresponsibly. Nearly 3,000 people have benefited, and it’s generated over 345,000 reais in extra income. Want to know more? Follow @prefeitura_rio.

Fishing nets make up 10% of the plastic waste in oceans, and this circular economy project is here to help fix that. Redinha collects abandoned or lost fishing gear and turns it into eco-friendly bags, crafted by a network of women artisans. Fishermen who donate nets even receive up to 5% of the profits. So far, they’ve rescued more than 1.5 tons of ocean waste and are now working in four cities, directly benefiting over 30 people. The brain behind it all? Engineer Maria Fernanda Bastos, who got inspired while paddling through Guanabara Bay. Want one of these unique bags? Check out @minharedinha.

Created by Rio native Bernardo Egas, this project has set an ambitious goal: to remove one million cigarette butts from Rio’s beaches by the end of 2024. Surprised? Cigarette butts are actually one of the most common pieces of litter on Brazilian beaches. A study by the Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning Companies found that every eight kilometers of sand can contain up to 200,000 butts! Not only do they contain over 7,000 toxic substances, but one single cigarette butt can contaminate more than 2,000 liters of water. To tackle this, they host twice-monthly cleanups with 200 volunteers and have installed cigarette butt disposal points at various kiosks. Want to help out? Join the movement at @revolucaodasbitucas.