Re-establishing recycling in Monteverde, Costa Rica

As consumer culture continues to expand on a global scale, the importance for responsible waste management also becomes increasingly important (Assadourian et al. 2004). In Monteverde, Costa Rica a recycling program was sustained from 1996 until 2003, successfully diverting 78 tons of waste from local landfills (Friends of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, 2007). In order to evaluate the former program, identify the current obstacles restricting its re-establishment and to identify key aspects of a successful future program I performed interviews and surveys of its main constituents within the community. This included interviews with the organizations involved in both past and future programs, talking with businesses and tourists in the area and conducting a survey of local residents. A combined effort between the Municipality and Tropical Science Center is currently working on its re-establishment and broad support from all potential users of the community was found to exist. However, raising the needed $20,000 – 40,000 dollars to build a local recycling center is a very large obstacle for the community. Through analysis of the information I collected in both surveys and interviews I make some recommendations and suggestions for what would constitute a successful future recycling program for the Monteverde area. Si la cultura de consumo continua expandiéndose a escala mundial, la importancia para el tratamiento de desechos responsable llega a ser también cada vez mas importante (Assadourian et al. 2004). En Monteverde, Costa Rica un programa de reciclaje se sostuvo de 1996 hasta el 2003, desviando exitosamente 78 toneladas de desechos de los botaderos locales (Amigos del Bosque Nuboso de Monteverde, 2007). Para evaluar el programa anterior, identifique los obstáculos actuales que restringen su restablecimiento e identifique los aspectos claves de un futuro programa exitoso, realice entrevistas e inspeccione los componentes principales dentro de la comunidad. Esto incluyo entrevistas con las organizaciones involucradas en ambos programas del pasado y el futuro, hable con los negocios y los turistas en el area y realice una encuesta a los residentes locales.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/1548/thumbnail.jp