Environmental Management

Sustainability is one of Inhotim's main pillars, working to preserve and manage the water resources, soil, flora, and fauna of its surroundings, with actions that seek to minimize the impacts caused by human activity.

Water resources and wastewater

Springs and waterways are part of the Minas Gerais landscape and, of course, of Brumadinho. The Institute plays its part in preserving water resources. Artesian wells and water reservoirs for irrigation are used to supply water to the park. In addition, Inhotim collects and treats 100% of the domestic wastewater generated by its activities in its own Biological Wastewater Treatment Station. In order to maintain the quality of water resources and wastewater treatment, water and effluent samples are periodically collected for physicochemical monitoring.

Here, the water is classified as either for Human Consumption (potable) or Irrigation/Landscaping, intended for maintaining the beauty and ecological balance of the Institute's gardens and lakes.

Photo: João Marcos Rosa

Solid Waste

To reduce environmental impacts, solid waste is also properly disposed of by Inhotim, in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Plan (PGRS) . Based on environmental legislation, the plan classifies waste according to its polluting potential and guides its disposal in the following ways:

Class I waste (hazardous): has its own storage area, where it is collected and sent to the industrial landfill by a licensed third-party company.

Class II A waste (non-inert): is stored, collected by the municipal government, and sent to the landfill. Recyclable waste is sent to the local association of recyclable material collectors.

Class II B waste (inert): This consists mainly of construction debris stored in skips and destined for the municipal landfill.

Compost

Maintaining the gardens generates around 100 m³/month of organic solid waste. All of this material is directed to composting carried out within Inhotim itself, being reincorporated into the environment and contributing to soil improvement. 0,8 m³/month of raw vegetable food from Inhotim's restaurants is also used in the composting process.

Fauna

Inhotim is also home to a variety of wild animals that seek shelter, food, water, and mates in the gardens and the RPPN (Private Natural Heritage Reserve).

Seriema ( Cariama cristata ), star tamarin ( Callithrix penicillata ), marmoset ( Sciurus aestuans ), jacupemba ( Penelope superciliaris ) are some of the animals easily seen in the gardens.

Birds, in particular, are a key feature of the landscape at the Institute and sometimes encounter obstacles they cannot cross, both here and in urban centers: the glass windows in buildings. To minimize collisions, Inhotim has made adaptations to some of its buildings. One of these is the application of anti-UV films to its windows, a measure that is being monitored to assess its effectiveness.

The Inhotim reception area was the first building to be adapted, starting in October 2022, and nine other buildings at the Institute are under monitoring after receiving the film: Mata Gallery, Fonte Gallery, Praça Gallery, Lago Gallery, True Rouge Gallery, Burle Marx Education and Culture Center, Tamboril Space, Administrative Center, and Living Center.

The initiative is carried out in partnership with the Public Prosecutor's Office of Minas Gerais (MPMG), which promotes the agenda of bird conservation through publications and educational activities.

Wild animals live freely in Inhotim and should not be touched or fed by the public. Respect their breeding seasons: do not touch nests and shelters, nor approach any young animals.