Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Meet Vanessa.

For Vanessa, the ocean is more than just water—it’s life. Living by a canal in Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro, she has watched plastic waste flow relentlessly toward the sea, threatening the waters her family depends on.

But instead of looking away, she took action. Inspired by her mother’s recycling efforts, Vanessa and her husband, Márcio, began collecting plastic waste, turning it into a source of income when fish sales declined during the pandemic.

Her earnings help put food on the table, and the additional benefits she receives, like grocery support, have lifted some of the daily burdens her family faces. But the most meaningful moment came when she was able to afford medicine for her son at a time when they had no other options.

The Rio de Janeiro Community Crowdfund

Vanessa is one of thousands of collection members across Rio working to transform plastic into opportunity.Your contribution helps support 200 of them for an entire month, ensuring they can continue earning income, accessing essentials like food, healthcare, and education support, and protecting the ocean from plastic pollution.

By funding this movement, you stand alongside Vanessa and others like her, empowering them to create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Be part of their journey—turn plastic into prosperity today.

Each contribution includes:

• Guaranteed plastic collection from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Funding a community of 200 collection members for a month
• Digital certificate to save, post, and share with your network