Waste can constitute a problem and a resource. Waste composition is becoming more complex and the amounts are continuously growing - especially in emerging and developing countries. Increasing numbers of people produce greater amounts of waste: goods of mass consumption are distributed more quickly than waste disposal structures can keep up with. This leads to direct problems for public health and has negative consequences on the environment, for example on water, soil and air. Landfills, due to the increasing amounts of waste, emit greenhouse gases that have negative impacts on the climate. These negative trends have to be countered.

Costa Rica is a pioneer in the protection of natural resources in Central America. But it also suffers from increasing pollution in urban areas, industry or in the tourism sector. Therefore, a program called “Competitiveness and Environment” focuses on solid waste management.

Strategic Solid Waste Management – Implementing SWM plans

In 2007/2008, the Ministry of Health with the support of GIZ (former GTZ) developed and implemented a national strategy for waste management. The strategy sets out priority action fields and the direction of necessary legislative changes. On this basis, municipalities plan their waste management measures. A manual and an information booklet describe how such a planning process works and how to achieve community involvement and participation.

Since 2009, the first communities implement their plans. This comprises, for example, the construction of recycling centers, the training of municipal employees, and the introduction of appropriate fees to finance the SWM system.