"Stop Tossing Coins" 160kg Collected at Iguazu Falls

On World Environment Day Collection Efforts
"Please Refrain from Throwing Coins to Protect the Environment"

Brazilian media reported that approximately 160kg of coins were collected from Iguazu Falls, known as one of the world's three largest waterfalls.

Iguazu Falls
[Photo by Agencia Brasil, the national news agency]

On the 5th (local time), according to local media, staff and volunteers at Iguazu National Park carried out a coin collection operation at Iguazu Falls, where tourists throw coins while making wishes, in observance of World Environment Day.

According to park officials, coins from over 40 countries including Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the United States were found, with a total weight of 158.8kg.

Most of these coins were corroded, but some still retained value estimated at around $3,000 (approximately 3.9 million KRW).

According to a biologist, heavy metals such as nickel and copper are released from coins dissolved in the waterfall water, causing water pollution.

There is also the issue of fish and water birds mistaking the coins for food and ingesting them.

Andre Machado Franjini, the national park manager, stated, "Tourists come here and throw coins as a way to make wishes, but this has a negative impact on the environment, so collection measures are necessary."

He added, "Another reason for the coin collection activity is to raise public awareness about the conservation of Iguazu Falls."

In fact, as the coin collection activity became known to the public, the number of coins thrown into the waterfall has noticeably decreased.

Last year, a total of 329kg of coins were collected from the waterfall, but this year only about half that amount, 158.8kg, was collected, marking the lowest weight in the past five years.

Meanwhile, the coins collected on site will be allocated as funds for environmental protection activities at Iguazu National Park.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.