Río Limpio

About Río Limpio: Río Limpio is a community-based project using science to confront two urgent and connected challenges in the Peruvian Amazon: dengue transmission and plastic pollution. We partner with rural river communities to develop sustainable, local solutions that protect both human health and the environment. Rio Limpio is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.

The Problem: Remote communities along the rivers of the Peruvian Amazon are facing intersecting health and environmental threats. The connection between two urgent problems—dengue transmission and solid waste—is central to our work. The dengue mosquito lays its eggs in water-filled containers, such as discarded plastic trash. Plastic pollution is increasing in these remote areas, brought in by cargo ships that also transport hitchhiking dengue mosquitoes. This has enabled the mosquitoes to invade communities deep within the rainforest. It’s a new and evolving problem—dengue was once limited to cities in South America—and it’s especially concerning because many of these communities are far from the medical care needed to treat severe dengue cases. The communities also have limited access to solid waste management, and often pile up their trash to burn on a dry day - in the meantime, these piles of trash serve as breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito.

Our Approach: We believe simple, affordable solutions can make a big difference. Río Limpio uses scientific methods to track the scale of these issues and evaluate what works—while ensuring that communities lead the way. We recruit and train local health workers who implement mosquito control and waste management interventions, lead public education efforts, and help monitor impact. Our work is guided by partnerships with scientists and local leaders to ensure that every action is grounded in data, sustainability, and community priorities.

Your Support: Your donation helps turn Río Limpio into action. With your support, we can provide mosquito-control tools like screens for water barrels, offer monthly stipends to local health workers, and cover the costs of removing plastic waste from river communities. Every contribution supports local solutions that protect health and the environment in the Amazon.