Costa Rica's fight against plastic: a model for global sustainability

Costa Rica, known for its environmental commitment and biodiversity, has undertaken one of the world's most ambitious challenges: eliminating single-use plastic. In 2018, President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, together with Environment Minister Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, signed a directive to ban the use of plastic and polystyrene in public institutions, paving the way for a transition to biodegradable and compostable materials.

What Did Costa Rica Do Between 2018 and 2024?

2018-2021 Start of the strategic plan to eliminate single-use plastic:

The government has launched a strategic plan to completely eliminate single-use plastic, such as straws, bottles and bags. By 2021, the country has succeeded in banning most of these products in the public and private sectors, introducing biodegradable alternatives and encouraging the use of sustainable materials.

2019 Approval of Law No. 20,985:

The Costa Rican Legislature has approved law No. 20,985, which prohibits the sale of plastic straws and the free distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets.

This ban has also extended to all state institutions, which can no longer purchase or use single-use plastic items.

2020-2022 Promotion of the circular economy and waste management:

The government has continued to promote the circular economy, with the goal of reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste. A waste management program has been launched in collaboration with local municipalities, while companies have started to introduce products with recycled and biodegradable materials.

Costa Rica's fight against plastic: a model for global sustainability

2023 Single-use plastics replacement program:

President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles has given a new boost to the law against plastic pollution, implementing the "Single-Use Plastics Replacement Program”. This initiative encourages citizens and businesses to use reusable and biodegradable containers.

2024 Entry into force of the ban on the sale of plastic bags and straws:

The law prohibiting the sale and distribution of plastic bags and straws comes into full force. From 2024, supermarkets and retail stores across the country will no longer be able to supply plastic bags, and will have to promote environmentally friendly alternatives, such as reusable canvas bags.

In addition, businesses are required to follow waste management programs, while banks offer financing to support small businesses in the transition to sustainable practices.

Costa Rica: a global leader in sustainability

Costa Rica has been a pioneer in many areas of environmental sustainability. Not only has the country achieved its goal of being powered almost entirely with renewable energy for most of the year, but it is actively working to become carbon neutral by 2050. The ban on single-use plastics is just another step towards achieving this goal

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