Foto 1+2: Centro de Acopio San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica. - By Ronald Arrieta, Nov 2008

The project began as a Citizens´ initiative. A group of ten people collected some recyclable waste and some of them got a place in the Municipality and tried to convince the other members of the council. After one year the Municipality made an agreement with the group and constructed a recycling center and lends a wagon for waste collection. The administration of the recycling center is carry out by this Citizens´ Initiative.

Overall Objectives

Recovery all the recyclable waste generated in San Rafael de Heredia

 

Type of Waste targeted

Household and commercial waste

 

 Geographic target Areas for the Innovation

Cantón of San Rafael de Heredia. It is a small city of 40.000 inhabitants, about 10 Km far from San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

Standards, Indicators, Criteria for Assessment

Recollection of 80 % of the household wastes from San Rafael de Heredia 40 Ton/month

This project shows the importance of the involvement of Citizens' initiatives

 

Institutions/Organization involved

-  Municipality of San Rafael de Heredia
-  Asociación de gestión ambiental de San Rafael de Heredia
-  Schools of San Rafael de Heredia
-  ADEP Asociación de educadores pensionados
-  Asociaciones de desarrollo
-  Comités ambientales sectoriales 

 

Geographic target regions for this innovation

Cantón of San Rafael de Heredia,  a small city of 40.000 inhabitants, about 10 Km far from San José, the Capital of Costa Rica.

 

 

Expected basic Scientific Progress

Establish a model considering the Costa Rica idiosyncrasy and socio-economic conditions

 

Contribution to Capacity Building and Education

Find methods to organize people aiming at their participation in the project. The most important education achievement is to demonstrate that the basis for waste management planning is the political decision.

 

 Technologies applied or improved

The only machine in use is a press machine for cardboard.

 

The municipality has its own recovery center. The Asociación de Gestión Ambiental de San Rafael de Heredia has acquired experience and knowledge in the waste management and marketing of useable materials. This project demonstrates that ecological waste management is possible.

Social target groups involved

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Publications on project results

in preparation