No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaPHOTO: Turning waste into virtual currency

PHOTO: Turning waste into virtual currency

Costa Rica discards 564 tons of plastic per day of which only 14 are recycled, according to the Ministry of Health’s Office of Environmental Health in charge of waste management in the country.

Since April 2018, a program seeks to stimulate recycling by giving value to waste through the exchange of it for a virtual currency that allows users to make purchases at stores linked with the initiative.

(Ezequiel Becerra / AFP)

Trending Now

El Salvador Peach Festival Brings Highland Experience to Chalatenango

The eighth Peach Festival opened today in Río Chiquito, a community in the San Ignacio district of Chalatenango Norte. Local producers and tourism operators...

Costa Rica Adoption Review Deepens After Norway Final Report

Norway’s final report on international adoptions has turned Costa Rica’s recent file review into a sharper official finding: Norwegian authorities did not do enough...

Rip Currents, High Surf Threaten Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

Those heading to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast this week are being urged to use caution as higher surf, rip currents and a pair of...

Joy for Colombia, Heartbreak for Panama at World Cup 2026

A day that began with hope for Latin America's two teams in action at the 2026 World Cup ended in sharply different moods —...

Powerful Earthquake Topples Buildings in Venezuela

A powerful earthquake struck north-central Venezuela this afternoon, collapsing buildings in the capital, Caracas, knocking out power in parts of the city and prompting...

Costa Rica Warns Environmental Crimes Are Linked to Organized Networks

Costa Rican prosecutors are warning that environmental crimes such as wildlife trafficking, illegal mining, illegal logging and the unlawful trade in natural resources are...

Costa Rica’s Mid-Year Gordito Lottery Brings Big Prizes and Local Tradition

One of Costa Rica’s most familiar mid-year rituals is back on the streets. The Junta de Protección Social, known as the JPS, officially launched...

Uruguay Let Lead Slip in Costly World Cup Draw With Cape Verde

Uruguay had Sunday’s World Cup game right where it wanted it, then let it slip away. The South American side drew 2-2 with Cape...

Latin American Women Head to Wimbledon Without a Clear Favorite

Latin America will not arrive at Wimbledon without talent. It will arrive without a clear women’s singles favorite. That is the more honest reading...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel