Rio Project Recycles Carnival Waste for Circular Economy
Why this is here: The article details how the Sustenta Carnaval project collaborated with the Instituto Mulheres do Sul Global to create branded merchandise—including gifts for delegates at the G20 summit—demonstrating a tangible link between waste reduction and high-profile international events.
A Rio de Janeiro project is diverting tons of discarded Carnival costumes, props, and floats from landfills and transforming them into new materials and income-generating opportunities. Launched in 2023, Sustenta Carnaval collects textile waste from the city’s famous samba school parades. Instead of ending up in already-overflowing landfills—where materials like polyester and PVC can persist for decades—these items are collected, cleaned, sorted, and either resold or upcycled.
The project not only reduces waste but also provides employment and skills training for marginalized women, offering stable income through creative workshops. In 2023 and 2024 alone, Sustenta Carnaval has diverted 66 tons of material from landfills.
Sustenta Carnaval works in partnership with the city’s urban cleaning company, Comlurb, and receives support from cultural organizations like the League of Samba Schools. Beyond local sales to artists, theater groups, and other schools, the project is also exporting upcycled materials to countries like Sweden, Australia, and England, proving that Carnival’s vibrant aesthetic has global appeal.