The Corcovado Foundation is Costa Rica’s lone representative as a finalist for international funding through the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA).
EOCA selected the Corcovado Foundation for its proposal to reduce plastic waste in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
“This diverse and fragile bio-region harbours 13 major ecosystems from sea level to 745m, with mangroves, sandy beaches, and primary forests, including coastal lowland rainforests,” the EOCA summary reads. “The main threat is plastic pollution on both land and sea, in particular to marine wildlife.”
The winning organization will be decided via an online vote, which ends April 11. Click here to review the finalists and to make your selection.
The winning organization will receive 26,000 euros from EOCA (about $29,200) to help fund its project. The Corcovado Foundation is the only finalist from Central America.
The Corcovado Foundation aims to “increase awareness and understanding of the impact of single-use plastic through education. […] The focus is to reduce solid waste through proper disposal and substantial reduction of single-use plastics ultimately making ‘Osa Free of Plastic.’”
The Health Ministry says that Costa Rica generates 4,000 tons of waste every day, 11% of which is plastic that ends up in rivers and oceans. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, “half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once — and then thrown away.”
Click here to vote.
Visit the Corcovado Foundation’s donation page at Amigos of Costa Rica to learn more and support the foundation. Amigos of Costa Rica was established by the Costa Rica USA Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA) to allow outstanding Costa Rican initiatives to receive U.S. tax-deductible donations. CRUSA sponsors the Costa Rica Changemakers section at The Tico Times to share news about Costa Rican philanthropy and community initiatives. Visit the section here.
Read more in The Tico Times about plastic waste reduction:
Puerto Viejo Deep Dive: Costa Rica free from plastic
Costa Rica launches quest to replace most single-use plastic by 2021
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