Reclaimed Wood Fuels Artisan Work on Ilha do Ferro

Maceió, August 14, 2025 - Artisans from Ilha do Ferro are giving new life to wood sourced from vegetation removal, transforming it into decorative and functional items. Collected from urban improvement projects and the construction of public facilities in Maceió, the material was donated to the Ilha do Ferro Artisans Association, made up of 50 folk artists, and recognized for its originality and commitment to preserving traditional techniques.

Located on the banks of the São Francisco River in the Alagoas hinterland, Ilha do Ferro is a small riverside community that has become a national reference for creativity, especially for its intricate wooden sculptures. This craft is one of the community's main sources of income and plays a key role in boosting the local economy.

Association president Yang da Paz Farias emphasizes the importance of the partnership for local families. "This donated raw material makes our work possible while also giving us the time we need to plant new trees and ensure a sustainable supply of wood for the future," says Yang.

The vegetation removal required for these projects is fully licensed by the appropriate environmental authorities and is being offset in accordance with current regulations.

Environmentally responsible wood management is an integral part of the ongoing urban improvement and public infrastructure works in the city. Measures to repair, mitigate, or compensate for the impacts of displacement in the neighborhoods of Pinheiro, Mutange, Bebedouro, Bom Parto, and Farol are established under the Socio-Environmental Agreement, signed in December 2020 by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and Braskem, with the participation of the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE) and the support of the Municipality of Maceió.