The Brazilian Government is the largest single buyer of condoms in the world and a new programme they have just implemented could boost rubber tapping and reduce deforestation.
Brazil’s government imports approximately 1 billion condoms each year and promote them using high profile adverts at a range of outlets designed to reach potential at risk groups. Of late they have started to include it among the basic basket of goods it gives out for free to low income families as part of a project to combat hunger. The inclusion of condoms serves a duel purpose as there is a clear link between poverty reduction and family planning.
Two years ago when the Pope visited Brazil, President Lula took the opportunity to show his support for sex education and the proper provision of contraception for teenagers.
Two years ago the government revealed a new project aimed at producing condoms using only environmentally sustainable rubber. This would cut their dependence on imported contraceptives, help preserve the world’s largest rainforest and provide jobs for local people. To do this the government have opened a new factory in the north-western Acre state that will produce 100 million condoms per year. The latex will come from the Chico Mendes Reserve named after the conservationist and rubber tapper who was killed by ranchers in 1988.
For many in the Amazon tapping rubber has always been a traditional way of life. Because it doesn’t kill the trees tapping rubber can be classed as both environmentally and economically sustainable, however it is more expensive than oil based synthetic products. In the past these oil based products have driven down prices and put rubber tappers out of business. But if the government’s sustainable condoms project proves a hit domestically then they could become a product for export.
The condom project will provide an income for roughly 550 families and reduce the need for deforestation. According to the Brazilian Government the condoms they are producing are the only ones in the world to be made from latex, which has been harvested from a tropical rainforest.
It’s not only condoms that are being developed from sustainable rubber, handbags and purses are also being produced. One company that has placed rainforest preservation at the centre of its business plan is Treetap, who have patented a latex and are selling it under their own brand name, certifying that its goods are produced from natural rubber on a fair trade basis. They are also working closely with the Rubber Tappers Association, which was founded by Mendes.
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April 12th, 2010 at 11:40 PM
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