Title

Re-establishing recycling in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Alternative Title

Re-estableciendo el reciclaje en Monteverde, Costa Rica

Creator

Sydney Funsinn

Files

Publication Date

May 2007

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Recycling centers, Centros de reciclaje, Refuse and refuse disposal, Basura y eliminacion de residuos, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde, CIEE Spring 2007, CIEE Primavera 2007

Description

Student affiliation : Department of Environmental Science, Western Washington University Born Digital

Subject: topical

Recycling centers; Centros de reciclaje; Refuse and refuse disposal; Basura y eliminacion de residuos; CIEE Spring 2007; CIEE Primavera 2007

Subject: geographic

Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone; Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde

Genre

Reports

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute MVI

Identifier

M39-00391

Recommended Citation

Funsinn, Sydney, "Re-establishing recycling in Monteverde, Costa Rica" (2007). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 549.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/549