The goal is to recycle over 5 tons of waste, generate income for waste pickers, and offset more than 10,000 kg of CO₂ during the event
Seagems, a Brazilian company specializing in underwater engineering, is preparing for another edition of the Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues Festival, taking place from June 19 to 22 in the interior of Rio de Janeiro State, with a significant investment in sustainability initiatives. The company aims to collect and sort over 5.5 tons of waste, achieve a reuse rate above 78%, provide training and income for around 20 waste pickers, and offset approximately 10.5 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
The initiative is being carried out in partnership with Sirí, a socio-environmental organization operating along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, and its main goal is to promote circular economy practices and raise awareness among the public and partners about sustainable habits. The festival, the largest of its kind in Latin America, features over 30 national and international acts, an estimated audience of 100,000 people, and stages spread throughout the city — including environmentally sensitive areas such as Lagoa do Iriry.
“Investing in initiatives like these is a concrete way to translate our values into actions that positively impact the environment and society. By bringing environmental education, proper waste management, and community mobilization to an event of this scale, we reinforce our commitment to ethical, conscious, and responsible practices. Our involvement goes beyond sponsorship. We want to transform how people relate to public spaces and the environment, in line with the ESG commitments that are central to Seagems’ identity,” says Glaucia Maciel, the company’s HR director.
Seagems, a festival sponsor for the sixth consecutive year, leads three main areas of action:
- Sustainability Space
Located at a strategic point near the Casa do Jazz, this space will focus on environmental awareness and public engagement. Activities include:
- Exhibits of environmental projects from organizations like Sirí, Na Onda, Maré Consciência, Circulow, Remelixo, and Cooperativa Macaeco;
- Gamified educational games and activities with sustainable giveaways;
- Real-time dashboards showing the amount of waste collected by type and stage, in accessible language and with the festival’s visual identity;
- Distribution of reusable cups to encourage reduced use of disposables;
- A networking area for businesses, institutions, and initiatives committed to sustainability.
- Sorting and Disposal of Recyclable Waste
The collection and sorting operation will be supported by waste pickers and environmental agents from Sirí and the municipal government. It will include:
- Placement of 15 selective collection bins at strategic points throughout the Cidade do Jazz;
- Manual sorting of waste at a station set up at the campground on Av. Gov. Roberto Silveira;
- Weighing using industrial scales, separation by type (plastic, glass, paper, metal), and storage in big bags;
- Transportation and final disposal by a licensed company (Transforma);
- The entire operation will also serve as an educational action, with public visibility into the sorting process and real-time data sharing.
- Lagoa do Iriry Cleanup Drive
After the festival ends, Seagems and Sirí will organize a cleanup effort at Lagoa do Iriry, one of the festival’s most iconic locations:
- The action will involve volunteers and local residents;
- Participants will receive kits with gloves and buckets, along with educational guidance;
- The collected waste will be sorted and weighed before being properly disposed of;
- The initiative aims to leave both a practical and symbolic legacy for the city, emphasizing the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems.
“More than just a gathering of great musicians, the Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues Festival is an opportunity to inspire real change in how we occupy public spaces. The partnership with Seagems strengthens an agenda aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is already part of the festival’s identity and grows deeper with each edition. As an environmental engineer by training, I’m proud to see the role culture can play in promoting sustainability and collective awareness,” says Stenio Mattos, the festival’s director.
“Without a doubt, the sustainability practices implemented at the festival will have a lasting impact that goes beyond the event days. They offer a subtle yet powerful way to raise environmental awareness and encourage the adoption of new sustainable habits. The unique atmosphere of Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues provides an unforgettable experience, and beyond entertainment, culture, and cuisine, participants will also be touched by the values of sustainability,” adds Carlos Eduardo Lopes, partner at Sirí.
Seagems do Bem
These festival actions are part of the Seagems do Bem initiative, a permanent and autonomous corporate committee created to promote social and environmental impact efforts inside and outside the company. Composed of employee volunteers, the group develops internal awareness campaigns, supports projects through tax incentive laws, and engages with communities in areas where the company operates.
“This is an event that mobilizes the entire city and draws thousands of people. Being able to contribute so that it also generates environmental and social benefits for the region is a source of pride for all of us. We believe it is possible — and necessary — to build a positive legacy wherever we are. That kind of transformation is what drives us, and it’s what the Seagems do Bem program seeks to inspire every day,” adds Glaucia Maciel.
Held annually in Rio das Ostras (RJ), the festival brings together major names in Brazilian and international music with over 30 free performances. The 2025 edition will feature artists such as Alfredo Rodríguez (Cuba), José James (USA), Mike Stern, Coco Montoya, Mitch Woods, JJ Thames, OZMA French Explosive Jazz (France), as well as Amaro Freitas, Rodrigo Suricato, Banda Black Rio, Rosa Marya Colin, and other Brazilian artists.