Brazil Uses Local, Natural Condoms to Protect Rainforest, Prevent AIDS

In a move that confirms our belief that every other country’s government is smarter than ours, Brazil has begun using condoms made of locally-sourced natural latex to protect their rainforests. If that gives you a mental image of giant rubbers stretched over trees, let Reuters explain:

Environmentalists say tapping native rubber trees helps generate income for Amazon residents and reduces pressure to fell trees. More than 550 families will earn a total of 2.2 million reais ($1.3 million) annually producing condoms, the ministry said.

The intention is also to reduce Brazil’s dependence on imported condoms, which are distributed free as part of a national program to combat AIDS.

This government-run condom factory will use latex that comes from the Chico Mendes reserve, and will be the only ones made of latex harvested from a tropical forest. The Brazilian government is the self-proclaimed world’s largest single buyer of condoms.

What could be more awesome than preventing the spread of a deadly disease, protecting rainforests, giving jobs to locals, and reducing dependence on imported goods with condoms, of all things?!

Link [Reuters]

Photo: Flickr user celebdu