Starbucks Costa Rica Embraces Eco-Friendly Practices in Four Newly Certified Stores

Starbucks has certified its first four Greener Stores in Costa Rica, aiming to reduce global carbon emissions, water usage, and waste sent to landfills by 50% by 2030. The stores meet standards across eight environmental impact areas, including water stewardship, energy efficiency, waste diversion, renewable energy, responsible materials, engagement with sites and communities, and health and well-being. One of the newly certified stores, located at Hacienda Alsacia, runs entirely on solar energy and features electric vehicle charging stations, a wearables program, and a commingled recycling plan. This initiative is part of Starbucks’ commitment to prioritize initiatives that help protect the planet.

Costa Rica Eases Driving License Rules for Tourists and Expats

The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica has passed a bill in its initial reading that aims to amend the Transit Law, allowing foreigners with tourist or transit visas to drive in the country using their foreign license for the duration of their visa. The bill also simplifies the process of homologating foreign licenses for those with approved or pending immigration status. The final vote is expected in early April, and once published in the Official Gazette, the law will become enforceable. This initiative promotes inclusion, mobility, and road safety for foreigners in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Launches Nationwide Measles Vaccination Campaign for Children

Costa Rica is launching a vaccination campaign from April 1st to May 24th, 2023, targeting 563,000 children aged 15 months to 10 years to protect them against measles, rubella, and mumps. The campaign, led by the Ministry of Health, CCSS, and PAHO, aims to achieve 95% coverage, as the country has seen a decline in vaccination rates in recent years. Health officials will visit schools, shelters, homes, and set up vaccination stations to administer the free MMR vaccine. The initiative is in response to a PAHO epidemiological alert due to the global rise in measles cases and low coverage of MMR doses in Latin America.