Don't Throw It All Away: Innovative Recycling Solutions to Waste Management in Tourism Communities

Costa Rica’s tropical beaches and seaside towns attract millions of tourists annually, yet increased waste generated by growing tourism threatens to degrade the environments tourists seek. The problem is compounded by local... [ view full abstract ]

Costa Rica’s tropical beaches and seaside towns attract millions of tourists annually, yet increased waste generated by growing tourism threatens to degrade the environments tourists seek. The problem is compounded by local municipalities’ inability to manage increased waste and often increased vacation consumption habits. Recycling offers a means of removing large quantities of reusable materials from the waste stream and reducing disposal directly into the environment.  While Costa Rican law requires all municipalities to provide trash and recycling collection, remote tourism areas often lack municipal recycling programs. This research looks specifically at the social-environmental interface in relation to waste management solutions in the context of tourism communities on Costa Rican’s Nicoya Peninsula.  This study argues that social impact assessments can play a key role in evaluating regional development strategies and fostering effective community response. Examination of residents’ role in developing waste management solutions indicates that a recycling program will likely mitigate social and environmental risk but use of local skills and knowledge are still largely undefined[ERB1] .  A partnership with a socially conscious garment manufacturer to collect and use recovered plastic in apparel may provide a socially agreeable solution in the face of government inaction.  However, low levels of bonding among diverse residents and low participation in civil organizations indicates that further investment in social capital formation is necessary to produce positive outcomes.