The Las Vacas River Project by Biosfera Gt in Guatemala

 

Since 2022, Biosferagt has implemented the project to clean up the Las Vacas River, a critical tributary that channels sewage and solid waste from Guatemala City. This river flows into the Motagua River, one of Guatemala's main rivers, and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to the contamination of other Central American countries. The village of San Antonio Las Flores, located in the Las Vacas river basin, is one of the areas most affected by this pollution.

The project's objective is to collect and transform solid waste, especially plastics, which contaminate the river. Since its inception, to date (November 2024) Biosferagt has recovered more than 12,000 tons of waste from the river, significantly reducing the amount of plastic that reaches the Motagua River and the Atlantic Ocean. The organization has installed two plants: one for sorting and selection, and the other for waste transformation, especially plastics. These initiatives not only improve environmental sanitation, but also promote job creation in the community.

 

The project has had a direct impact on the families of San Antonio Las Flores, particularly on women and single mothers who were previously engaged in informal work, such as selling food or clothing, and the informal collection of recyclable materials from the river. The Biosferagt plant has created more than 34 direct jobs, offering these families a more stable and dignified source of income. In addition, they have received training in waste classification and transformation, which has improved their quality of life.

 

 

 

Women's participation in the project has been key, not only in terms of employment, but also in social and economic empowerment. Through initiatives such as the women's cooperative and training in sustainable production, the project has promoted equal opportunities and strengthened the role of women in the community.

 

Pollution Reduction and Ecosystem Protection

 

One of the most significant achievements of the project has been the reduction of the amount of solid waste that reaches the Motagua River and, therefore, the Atlantic Ocean. The alliance with The Ocean Cleanup made it possible, during 2023, to install a system of barricades in the river to contain floating waste and prevent it from moving into larger bodies of water. This effort contributes to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems, which are essential for both biodiversity and the local economy.

 

     

 

Biosferagt has also promoted the transformation of recovered plastics into useful products, such as plastic lumber for housing construction and improvement, which not only reduces pollution but also reduces the need to use natural wood, contributing to the conservation of natural resources.

 

 

 

Biosferagt's integrated approach, which combines waste management, job creation and environmental education, has a lasting impact on the community. Through prevention, education and awareness programs, the organization fosters a change of mentality in children and youth, ensuring that future generations understand the importance of environmental sustainability.
The implementation of business models based on the circular economy and technological innovation has enabled not only job creation, but also improved efficiency in waste management, promoting a change in the community's consumption and production habits.

 

 

Biosferagt's Las Vacas River project demonstrates how an initiative that integrates environmental and social approaches can transform a community. The recovery of more than 12,000 tons of waste, the creation of decent jobs, the empowerment of women and the sensitization of the population are just some of the achievements that demonstrate the positive impact of this project. In addition, the reduction of pollution in the Motagua River and the Atlantic Ocean shows how the proper management of solid waste can contribute significantly to the preservation of the environment at the regional level.
Through this experience, Biosferagt is demonstrating that sustainable projects are not only viable, but essential to address the global environmental crisis, while improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable people. This approach is a model for future conservation and sustainable development initiatives.

 

 

As part of the management and handling of solid waste, Biosferagt has also collaborated and implemented prevention actions to prevent plastics from reaching water bodies and other ecosystems. Biosferagt has collaborated in the Recíclalos program, a WWF initiative, with the collection of recyclable materials in different points of Guatemala City. It has also created a campaign called "No dejes que los plásticos lleguen al agua” (Don't let plastics reach the water), where collection centers are installed in educational institutions and housing projects, promoting the recycling and collection of materials to prevent waste, mainly plastics, from reaching the water and no longer being recycled.

Extraction Data From 2022 to 2024

 

From January 2022 to June 2023, a total of 1711.5 tons of floating waste was extracted. In mid-2023 The Ocean Cleanup  joined the project by providing the 006 interceptor (Interceptor barricade) which has allowed Biosfera Gt to stop large amounts of floating debris from the Las Vacas River. With The Ocean Cleanup's support they have removed a total of 10,363.5 tons of floating debris by November 2024. In total from the start of the project in 2022 to November 2024, 12,075 tons have been removed from the Las Vacas River. All of this waste will no longer reach the Motagua River and will not contaminate the Caribbean Sea or become part of the floating waste masses in the ocean. The percentage of plastic materials (PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS) varies between 20-30%.

 

From 01/12/2021 to 29/07/2023	Aluminium	Paper	PET	Hard Plastics	Glass	Multilayer
TOTAL (Kg)	484.89	4054.66	1940.92	2691.61	4039.69	308.44

 

 

 

Biosferagt is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to creating sustainable projects that simultaneously address environmental and social problems. Through its innovative and multidisciplinary approach, it seeks to improve the living conditions of communities, foster local economic development and contribute to the restoration of key ecosystems. Biosferagt began in 2021, and during 2022 began to have its greatest impact with one of the most impactful projects related to solid waste management: the sanitation of the Las Vacas River in the village of San Antonio Las Flores, located in Chinautla, Guatemala.

 

 

Biosferagt is integrated by a team of professionals from various disciplines, such as biology, agronomy, social sciences and economics. Its mission is to improve the environment and social conditions through projects that promote sustainability, scientific research and the creation of job opportunities through scientific and applied research and strategic alliances with local and foreign entities. In particular, the organization has developed projects in the management and transformation of solid waste, with the objective of reducing the contamination of water bodies and terrestrial ecosystems, improving the quality of life of communities and reducing the extraction of natural resources.

 

Contact

Biosfera Gt
6ta calle 5-59
GT - Zona 7 Colonia Landívar

phone:+502 22572038

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