PROMARES – Brazil Circular Sea Project: building solutions (PROMARES)
Grantee(s)
TU Braunschweig
Objectives
- Policy and governance support: Development of public policies, advisory services on legislative revisions, and establishment of databases and analytical Frameworks
- Strengthening environmental education and capacities: Design and implementation of environmental education and awareness-raising programs, as well as the development of capacity-building strategies for vulnerable groups
- Improvement of waste management: Support for the development of waste management plans for the circular economy, with a particular focus on plastic waste
- Promotion of inclusive market strategies: Development of strategies to create employment opportunities and better integrate vulnerable groups into circular economy processes
Duration
2025-11-01 till 2028-10-31
Location
Brazil
Funding Amount
6,000,000.00 €
Project partner(s)
- Federal University of Pará (UFPA)
- Federal Fluminense University (UFF)
- State University of Bahia (UNEB)
- State University of Maranhão (UEMA)
- Instituto Costa Brasilis – Desenvolvimento Socioambiental
Copyright: GettyImages / Priscila-Zambotto
Reducing marine litter: what are the specific challenges in Brazil?
Approximately 3.44 million tonnes of plastic waste is lost into the environment in Brazil each year, accounting for around one third of the country’s total plastic consumption. Regional hotspots are particularly affected, including the bays of Guanabara, Todos os Santos and Sepetiba, as well as major river systems such as the Amazonas, São Francisco, and the Patos lagoon.
The pollution originates predominantly from land-based activities. Inadequate waste infrastructure, illegal dumping, insufficient collection systems, wastewater discharge, and microplastics all contribute significantly to environmental contamination. At the same time, there is a lack of reliable data on plastic sources and waste flows, limiting the ability to make evidence-based policy decisions.
Although numerous initiatives to combat plastic pollution exist in Brazil, they are unevenly distributed geographically and not sufficiently interconnected. The complex landscape of stakeholders – spanning public institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society – further complicates coordination efforts. Existing strategies and action plans are often implemented only partially. The effects disproportionately affect vulnerable population groups, including low-income households as well as Indigenous and quilombola communities, which are particularly impacted by inadequate waste management and marine litter.
How is the project helping to reduce marine litter?
“PROMARES” pursues a comprehensive approach to reducing marine litter in Brazil. The aim is to consolidate existing measures, develop them further, and complement them with new circular economy solutions in order to strengthen waste management in the long term.
A central focus is the revision and improvement of existing waste management plans. This includes, among other things, concepts for closing illegal dumpsites and establishing sustainable disposal systems. At the same time, the project supports the development of a centralized, science-based data foundation on plastic sources, waste flows, risks, and relevant stakeholders, enabling effective policy decisions for marine litter prevention.
“PROMARES” also strengthens the regulatory framework, for example by promoting extended producer responsibility (EPR), fiscal incentives, and long-term contracts that support the circular economy and close legal gaps. In selected regions in northern and northeastern Brazil, as well as in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, circular economy solutions are being piloted that directly reduce plastic inputs into rivers and coastal areas.
In addition, the project develops digital monitoring tools that enable improved tracking of plastic leakage and early response measures. Environmental education and awareness-raising activities in communities, schools, and businesses help to embed sustainable behaviour and waste prevention practices in the long term. Training courses, distance education programmes, and qualification trainings strengthen the capacities of professionals, municipalities, and vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, “PROMARES” supports start-ups and recycling cooperatives and creates income opportunities for approximately 14,600 workers employed by more than 1,300 recycling companies that are currently already collecting plastic in Brazil. Through the establishment of a National Institute for Marine Litter and Circular Economy in Waste Management, knowledge is consolidated to advise policymakers and ensure the long-term institutionalization of the developed concepts.