Couro Ecológica “Ecological Leather” Handbags

Entrepreneurship Saves Tradition

by Shannon Thomas

 

The river dwelling population of the Maguary Community, located in the Brazilian national forest FLONA Tapajós, is a poor and isolated community whose primary source of income relies on cultivating and selling their natural resources.  They earn a living mostly by growing rice and bean crops, processing manioc flour and selling small quantities of latex from the rubber tree.  Rubber has been their tradition for over 150 years; today however, the market for latex is very limited. 

Thanks to the innovations of a bright and motivated local entrepreneur, Arimar Feitosa, the community has been able to maintain their rubber tradition by creatively utilizing it to manufacture finished products.  Arimar began a small company called Couro Ecológica that uses rubber to manufacture purses and other goods made from locally harvested latex.  Couro Ecológica, or “Ecological Leather” in English, is handmade by overlaying the extract of the latex of Hevea brasiliensis, the Brazilian rubber tree, onto cotton. This cotton-latex overlay is then sun dried to turn it into a waterproof, durable material similar to animal leather. The local artisans stitch it together to make purses and other “leather” goods which are sold locally and internationally.  The income earned by selling the finished products is significantly higher than could be earned from selling the raw latex.  Furthermore, latex can be harvested without harming the trees so the business is sustainable over the long term.         

Couro Ecològica has now grown to employ over 15 workers, men and women, in an area with extremely few employment and economic options.  This project creates an occasion for the members of the communities to make a decent living using forest resources in a sustainable manner and prosper while keeping their culture and identity alive. The business generates income for the owners, Brazilian artisans, as well as their employees, affecting a generous number of people. The company provides vital income to many of the FLONA Tapajós residents, making them less dependent on foreign and government aid.  Innovations, such as Couro Ecológica, serve as successful and inspiring models for other community members and the neighboring communities to follow.

 
CEN’s Role

CEN is currently expanding the distribution of these goods in the U.S. market by locating retailers and distributors.  The planned expansion of our cCLEAR project will allow us to play a larger role advising Couro Ecològica on vital marketing and trade strategies, enabling the entrepreneurs to increase income for themselves and their employees. CEN is working on serving essential connection between the industrialized and the unindustrialized, a connection that provides the needed services for the Brazilian communities to become self sustaining and successful.

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Rio Tapajós Communities Overview

Interview with Arimar Feitosa, Couro Ecológica

Jessie's Amazon Journal

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Couro Ecológica Brochure (English)
(596K PDF)

Couro Ecológica Brochure (Portuguese)
(604K PDF)

Couro Ecológica Catalog (620 PDF)

Photo Gallery of Couro Ecológica Products 

Photo Gallery of Couro Ecológica Factory

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