There's a Solution: from recycled cooking oil to community gardens, projects in the interior of SP combine sustainability and solidarity

'TEM Solution' project highlights initiatives that transform rural cities Community mobilization and teamwork are fundamental to transforming cities and helping to take care of the planet. In this Saturday's TemSolution program (18), discover two initiatives in the interior of São Paulo that show how simple actions generate major socio-environmental impacts. One of the projects is "Óleo do Bem", which mobilized students and prevented the pollution of 120 million liters of water in Tupã (SP). The other is the network of community gardens that feeds 1,300 families in Birigui (SP). Check it out below: ? Join the g1 Bauru and Marília channel on WhatsApp In a recent competition held at Etec de Tupã, students collected more than 4,813 liters of used oil Robson do Carmo/TV TEM Incorrect disposal of used oil in the sink clogs the sewage network and destroys water sources. To combat the problem, the "Óleo do Bem" project works in partnership with "Recicóleo" at Unesp in Tupã. The initiative installs collection points in schools and promotes environmental education among young people. READ ALSO: There's a Solution: from cigarette butts to old tires, projects transform waste into sustainable products There's a Solution: initiatives in the interior of SP recover rivers and correctly dispose of tons of electronic waste There's a Solution: initiatives in the interior of SP expand access to the job market and reinforce the social pillar of ESG A recent competition at Etec in Tupã mobilized students and achieved significant results for the municipality: Volume collected: students collected 4,813 liters of used oil; Ecological exchange: each liter delivered by the population is exchanged for a bar of ecological soap. The collected waste becomes raw material for the production of biodiesel; Environmental balance: according to professor Paulo Barbosa dos Santos, the action prevented the contamination of 120 million liters of water and saved the emission of 57 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The project turns 5 next month and already has 21 active collection points in Tupã. Birgui community garden with 57 community gardens and five areas dedicated to family farming, totaling almost 113 thousand square meters of cultivation. Eduardo Parede/TV TEM In Birigui (SP), public areas that were previously empty or abandoned were transformed into green belts. The city currently has 57 community gardens and five family farming areas, totaling almost 113 thousand square meters of organic cultivation. The project guarantees food security for around 1,300 families in the region through a collaborative division of the harvest. A third of the cultivation remains with the residents themselves, responsible for managing it for their own consumption; another third can be sold in the neighborhood to generate additional income for families; and the last third is donated to the municipal Food Bank, which supplies 14 charities in Birigui. For those who take care of the land, the benefit goes beyond the plate. Retired Domingos Iezzi has worked on the construction sites for 32 years and defines the activity as daily therapy. At the consumption end, neighbors approve of quick access to organic and freshly harvested products, as highlighted by driver Dorival Rantinqueiri, who has supported the management for six years. "It's organic. A fresh vegetable. The neighbors take it right away. [I] take it right away and people take it," says Dorival. Since the project was created, around 1,300 families have benefited Eduardo Parede/TV TEM See more news from the region on g1 Bauru and Marília