Costa Rica has big goals to counter climate change, for several years now the government has talked about its objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2021 and eliminating single use plastic becoming the first country to achieve this.

Whether this is realistic or not is a topic that has raised many different opinions and points of view.

“We are a small country with big goals. Our pioneer spirit is part of what sets us apart. Historically, the country has established and achieved goals that have set an example to the world. We are the first country without army, the first tropical country that has reverted the process of deforestation and we are taking actions towards becoming the first carbon neutral country”, stated the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Edgar Gutiérrez, back in September of 2016.

Now, Costa Rica reaffirms its commitment to becoming carbon neutral and banning the use of single plastic by 2021 as a way of reducing the large contamination that exists in the world caused by this material.

From plastic caps, plastic stirrers, straws, plastic disposable cutlery, plastic supermarket bags, bottles, etc.

“To become a country without plastic is our mission. It won’t be easy and the government can’t do it alone. To promote these changes we need all sectors public and private to take steps towards replacing plastic”, read a press release sent by the government in July.

According to the Vice-Minister of Health, María Esther Anchía, Costa Rica produces 4,000 tons of trash daily, 11% of which corresponds to plastics that due to inadequate handling (not recycling) end up in rivers and eventually the ocean.

The World Economic Forum highlights the country’s efforts in the following video: