'Fishing for tyres' in Guanabara Bay, Rio.

Fishing for Litter: Campaign removes 2,000 tyres from Guanabara Bay, in Rio, for recycling

06 September 2024

The Fishing for Litter project, run by BVRio in partnership with Ogyre, has launched a special initiative to remove tyres from Guanabara Bay, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The initiative aims to collect around 2,000 tyres over two months, sending them for recycling into energy generation. The action seeks to tackle the build-up of waste in the mangroves, enhance environmental quality, and provide sustainable solutions for companies interested in corporate social responsibility and reverse logistics.

Last week, the Fishing for Litter project, run by BVRio in partnership with Ogyre, launched a special campaign to remove tyres from Guanabara Bay, around Ilha do Governador. The goal is to increase tyre recycling, as these items are often discarded improperly and accumulate in mangrove areas, forming ‘rubbish islands’ where tyres combine with plastics and other waste.

Over the next two months, the project aims to collect around 2,000 tyres, or approximately 100 tyres per day, which will then be sent for recycling, and used for energy generation in industrial processes.

"We are excited to begin this tyre collection effort in Guanabara Bay. It is an opportunity to significantly contribute to recycling efforts and cleaning our bay, while continuing to support local communities and fishing activities."

Pedro Succar, BVRio circular economy specialist and the project manager.

Discarded tyres in the bay pose a significant environmental problem. They can take hundreds of years to decompose and serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests, as well as harming marine life and the natural landscape. In July 2024, a news report revealed a fisherman saving a turtle trapped in a tyre in Guanabara Bay.

“The removal of the tyres is of utmost importance for all of us, especially for our fishers in Guanabara Bay, as they are the most affected. We need more actions like this to preserve and restore the mangroves of the Bay.” Glaucia, the project’s local community coordinator.

"At Ogyre, we know the ocean is vital for the future of our planet, and it's up to us to take care of it. Supporting BVRio for this tyre removal campaign in Guanabara Bay is a natural step toward achieving our mission: to empower fishermen to make a positive environmental impact. Removing waste like tyres from the ocean and recycling them into something more useful cleans our waters and cares for the local community, proving that sustainable solutions can truly drive change.”

Antonio Augeri, Ogyre co-founder.

The project’s primary focus is to rid the oceans, one piece of trash at time, together with fishers and brand partners interested in investing in social and environmental responsibility. With a model ready to generate ESG metrics and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the initiative offers a significant opportunity for producers to contribute to the sustainability of our seas by collecting specific products and materials that end their life in the ocean, such as tyres, flip-flops, electrical appliances.

"We are seeking new partnerships with companies that wish to engage in cleaning the ocean. This is a call to all who want to be part of a solution with proven social and environmental impacts on the ocean pollution problem," added Pedro.

For more information about the Fishing for Litter project in Rio and how to get involved, visit our website.