Siete Cuencas: waste-free Bay

Marea Verde Panama

Siete Cuencas: waste-free Bay

Marea Verde stops river plastic before it reaches the Bay, protecting ecosystems and communities through innovation, advocacy & education.

Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama

PAN

Nonprofit

Plastic pollution is rising globally, with consumption expected to triple by 2050 (OECD, 2022). Without intervention, the amount entering ecosystems could double by 2030 (UNEP, 2021). Around 80% of ocean plastic originates inland, carried by rivers. In Panama City, rapid, unregulated growth is worsening the situation. Public authorities face limitations in planning, policy enforcement, and infrastructure for proper waste disposal. Expanding communities often lack urban planning, leading to inaccessible neighborhoods near riverbanks that are vulnerable to flooding and difficult for waste services to reach. As a result, residents—particularly in low-income areas—are surrounded by unmanaged waste, much of which ends up in rivers and, eventually, the Bay. In Panama City, seven rivers flow into the Bay—a Ramsar Site—receiving an estimated 800,000 kg of waste annually. The Bay’s polluted state highlights the city’s broader waste management issues. From refrigerators to plastic bottles, debris harms biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and local livelihoods, in an ecosystem that welcomes over two million migratory shorebirds each year. Marea Verde is focusing on capturing waste in the river before it reaches the Bay and the ocean. In parallel, we work on education and advocacy, key pillars that are indispensable for long lasting impact.

Marea Verde’s solution is built on three pillars—innovation, advocacy, and education—to create a comprehensive approach to tackling plastic pollution in Panama Bay’s seven river basins both in the short and medium term. Under the innovation pillar we install waste capture devices in rivers which intercept plastic and other floating waste before it reaches the Panama Bay. These systems use floating barriers to trap waste while allowing water and fauna to flow. We are scaling this model under Siete Cuencas, Marea Verde’s flagship project which aims to intervene in all seven rivers that flow into the Panama Bay by 2030. Our advocacy pillar focuses on collaboration with local and national authorities, businesses, and key stakeholders to tackle the root causes of river pollution. We engage corporate partners to fund and scale waste interception solutions, and we also serve as facilitators in bridging networks and ideas to bring about strategic vision and continuity in policies and programs. To ensure lasting impact, our education programs empower communities through environmental stewardship clubs in schools, hands-on recycling programs, and La Casa de Wanda, our education center dedicated to the plastic pollution challenge.

Our solution serves nearby residents, daily commuters, and businesses who are impacted by the visible waste pollution in the river mouth and Panama Bay. Nearby residents and commuters who use the highway daily are often confronted with the sight and smell of accumulated waste, which affects their quality of life and perception of the city. By removing visible trash and improving the surrounding environment, our solution contributes to a more pleasant and dignified living. Businesses and residents of nearby buildings experience the waste as a persistent visual and environmental nuisance, directly affecting their living experience and property values. Cleaning and restoring the rivermouth will significantly enhance their views, improve air quality, and create a healthier, more attractive neighborhood. Furthermore, for project developers, the presence of waste in direct sight of commercial properties makes it challenging to rent or sell office spaces. Our intervention improves the aesthetic and environmental appeal of the area, making it more attractive to tenants, investors and visitors to the city. This directly supports economic activity and revitalizes a key part of the city’s waterfront.