Rubber went from being a simple natural raw material to become a solution to drive sustainable economy in the Amazon. An example of this is Renato Cordeiro, who with the first lights of the day on the Amazonian island of Marajó, puts on his boots, takes his knife, and ventures into the jungle to work on his rubber trees to extract the latex that, when turned into rubber, will ensure livelihood for him and his family.
The trade of “rubber tapper,” almost extinct after the drop in rubber demand in the late 20th century, began to resurge in this impoverished corner of northern Brazil. This rebirth was made possible thanks to the initiative of the local company Seringô, which brought hope back to over 1,500 families, like Renato’s. Now, these workers not only produce rubber for footwear and other products, but also contribute to the conservation of the Amazon rainforest, threatened by deforestation.
For 57-year-old Renato, his “garden” is the Amazon itself. Behind his stilt house, built on the Anajás River, dozens of rubber trees blend with centuries-old trees and palm trees, in a typical landscape of this island bordered by the ocean and intricate waterways.
“I started working at the age of seven alongside my mother,” recalls Renato as he holds his knife. The tool, adapted with a metal piece, allows for precise incisions in the tree bark without harming them. In fact, each cut must be made carefully, as the tree slowly begins to release its latex, which drips into a container placed below.
The Jungle as a Family Heritage
Although it seems simple, the work requires experience and knowledge. The “rubber tapper” must understand the rhythms of the “mother jungle,” as, like a mother feeds her child, the trees only produce their milk if stimulated regularly and carefully.
This resurgence not only brings dignity and jobs back to communities historically linked to rubber, but also presents itself as a sustainable model that protects one of the planet’s greatest natural treasures: the Amazon rainforest.
What is Rubber?
Rubber is an elastomeric material, that is, a natural or synthetic polymer characterized by its elasticity. It is highly valued for its strength, impermeability, and ability to recover from deformation.
This material is obtained from latex, a milky substance extracted from the bark of tropical trees like Hevea brasiliensis, native to the Amazon. To obtain latex, a cut must be made in the tree trunk, which starts to “bleed” and exude the substance. Once coagulated, the latex is collected and processed.
Rubber is used in a wide variety of products, including:
- Tires
- Brake linings
- Hoses
- Seals
- Sound insulation
- Protection against mechanical hazards
There are different types of rubber, such as natural and synthetic. Synthetic rubber can be silicone, fluorinated, or ethylene-propylene, and is characterized by its resistance to heat, chemicals, or weathering.
Do you already know our YouTube channel? Subscribe!
