Trash on the Streets

by Walter Mitchell
(San Jose, C.R.)

The trash in Costa Rica reminds me of U.S. highways in the 40s and the 50s, especially in Maryland. We were in Puntarenas Province on a magnificent beach where the river Tarcoles enters the Gulf of Nicoya. This is the most polluted river in Costa Rica and with tides and winds the trash is left everywhere. This river drains the entire Central Valley which includes the largest cities. Along with the trash is everything that does not make its way into septic tanks from automotive repair shops, paint and body shops, and all other liquids that are poured into the drainage systems.

We have 4 and 5 star hotels with their septics pumped into cistern trucks which pick a spot to empty their cargo.

Editor's Note: Costa Rica's regulatory watchdog agency, the Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo, reported a 50% increase in caseload in 2008 from just a year earlier. In February 2008, it closed down the Hotel Allegro Papagayo for dumping raw sewage into the Golfo Dulce. It sued Quimicos Holanda for some $6.5 million for environmental damage caused by an explosion at its liquid storage facility.

The agency also sued two other federal governmental entities for $3 million for damages at the Palo Verde National Park.

Additionally, it sued the City of Tibas for failing to pick up garbage.

Local communities are increasingly alarmed at the increase in trash along beaches. In September 2008, as part of a 100 country effort, several Costa Rica towns participated in beach clean-up activities and some, like Ocotal, have monthly beach clean-up days.

But, trash is becoming an increasingly bigger concern and problem across this little country---and much of the world.