Costa Rica – Local Sustainability Movement

After voting in the US election the other day, I had a flashback from 1992, when Ross Perot offered the average voter a glimmer of hope that the fat cats in Washington D.C. could be put on a diet.

History has shown that his concept was noble but not realistic in a politically driven industrialized society.

This year, the voting options are more confusing than ever and I’ve gone out of my way to ignore the outrageously expensive marketing promoted by both political parties.

I began to think about how much effect my single vote would have in the current US election. I haven’t been part of North American society for a long time. I don’t think North American nor am I concerned about problems in the USA. I’ve been part of Tico society for fifteen years and my concerns are here.

Most of the world lives in capitalistic, socially irresponsible societies where the average citizen feels their personal contribution wouldn’t make a dent in the global crisis. Here, I have a similar sense of frustration with the big wheels that turn in the Casa Presidencial.

Over the past fifteen years, I’ve lived through the changes here, good and bad, and as a permanent resident, I have the right to live and work here, but not to vote. Therefore, I don’t feel the underlying pressure to decide which local candidate will be the lesser of the evils.

However, I do feel the need contribute to my local pueblo’s sustainability. More education and resources need to be made available so the locals will understand that the rivers are not landfill’s and that it’s not right to litter all over this beautiful country.

If I begin to promote a local sustainable movement today, tomorrow’s children will have viable resources to improve upon. As a consumer, I can strive to conserve more energy, recycle my consumables and purchase goods and service’s from companies that maintain economic and environmentally sustainable business practices.

I’ve organized a few ideas to share and am searching for new ideas from folks who feel it’s time to participate in a socially responsible, local sustainability movement. I feel that we’ll be able to enjoy a healthier and safer environment in the future, if we promote use of the following today:

Energy Efficient Lighting – No incandescent lighting in our homes and offices. All lighting shall be Linear Fluorescent or Compact Fluorescent (CFLS) or a combination of each type. We should strive to reduce electric energy related costs as much as possible.

Efficient Plumbing Fixtures — We can substantially reduce water consumption by installing water-conserving fixtures: Faucets that use only 2.2 GPM; Aerators using only1.5 GPM; Showerheads that consume 2.5 GPM; Toilets that use 1.6 GPF.

Cleaning & Personal Care Product Dispensers – Using environmentally friendly kitchen and bathroom dispensers for soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion can save a bundle. Pricesmart and other local retailers offer many of these products in large returnable containers at substantially lower cost.

Promoting this concept is healthy because we will eventually lower the demand for oil used to manufacture plastic bottles and the fuel transportation costs of their delivery. Additionally, we will waste less product and lower the need for recycling and landfills.

Paper Products — Use only consumable paper products made from recycled fibers. Products are available with the following minimum post-consumer content: Bathroom Tissue: 20%, Facial Tissue: 10%, Napkins and Paper Towels: 40%

Eco-Friendly Linens – Linen and towel re-use programs should be used weekly. Towels and sheets manufactured using control union-certified; eco-friendly dyes reduce environmental impact. They also save money and resources by costing significantly less to launder, reducing water consumption, using less detergent and taking less time to dry.

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Recycling & Waste Management – We need to maintain appropriate recycling receptacles in our homes and offices as well as utilize eco-friendly waste management programs to dispose of our waste. Each person can organize their own recycling program for their home and office by labeling individual receptacles for glass, paper, aluminum & plastic.

Food & Beverages – Eliminate the purchase of products in disposable bottles, cans and plastic containers. Fresh food and natural beverages, widely available here, are non-consumables and don’t need to be recycled or disposed of in landfills.

Cleaning Products – Purchase your general purpose, kitchen, bathroom, glass and floor cleaning products using the following guidelines:

• Less than 10% VOC’s by weight.
• Diluted at least 8 to 1.
• Not toxic to Humans.
• No carcinogens or ingredients that are known to cause reproductive toxicity.
• Not corrosive to the skin or eyes.
• Without skin sensitizers.
• Non combustible.
• Without substances that contribute to the production of photochemical smog, Tropospheric ozone, or poor indoor air quality.
• The Volatile Organic Compound as used shall not exceed the following:
  
  1% by Weight for Dilutable Carpet Cleaners
  
  1% by Weight for General Purpose and Bathroom Cleaners
  
  3% by Weight for Glass Cleaners
  
  3% by Weight for Ready to Use Carpet Cleaners
• The Product shall not be toxic to aquatic life.
• Each organic ingredient of the products as shall be biodegradable.
• The product shall not contain more than 0.5% by weight of phosphorus.
• The product containers shall be recyclable or returnable and refillable.

1. Prohibited Ingredients include the following:
   
   Alkylphenol ethoxylates
   
   Dibutyl Phthalate
   
   Heavy metals including arsenic, lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, or selenium
   
   Ozone-depleting compounds
   
   Optical Brighteners
2. Training – The Product Manufacturer or distributor should offer detailed instructions for the proper dilution, use and disposal.

I’ll look forward to any and all suggestions from folks who feel the need to begin the work to help create a more sustainable local environment. Pura Vida!

Written by Tom Rosenberger. With more than 25 years of homebuilding experience, 15 of which have been in Costa Rica, construction consultant Tom Rosenberger knows the ins and outs of building and remodeling a home in the Central Valley area of Costa Rica.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.