“Everyone has the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment” and “the State shall guarantee, defend, and preserve that right.” Approval of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Law No. 8538 “...to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants.” Approval Convention for the Protection of the Flora, Fauna, and Scenic Natural Beauties of the Countries of America Law No. 3763 Through this convention, laws, regulations, and decrees have been adopted concerning the protection and conservation of flora and fauna within Costa Rican territory.
Approval of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer Law No. 7228 Establishes provisions concerning the protection of human health and the environment from the modification and destruction of the ozone layer.
Approval United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Law No. 7414 Address the problem of global warming and negative changes in the world’s climate by stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Approval of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Law No. 8219 Promote sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the planet.
Approval of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer Law No. 7223 “...protect the ozone layer by adopting preventive measures to equitably control total global emissions.” Municipal Code Law No. 7794 The municipality is a state legal entity with the capacity to carry out all types of acts establish the tariff model that best suits the reality of their canton, provided that it includes the costs, as well as the future investments necessary to achieve integrated waste management Law for Integrated Waste Management Law No.
8839 and its Regulation No. 37567 Its objective is to regulate waste and promote efficient use through the planning and implementation of regulatory, operational, financial, administrative, educational, environmental, monitoring, and evaluation actions.
Regulation for Regionalized Management of Solid and Organic Waste in Costa Rica Regulation 44974-S Establish a management framework for integrated management of ordinary solid waste in Costa Rica, based on cantonal systems and intermunicipal collaboration to optimize the use of resources and minimize environmental impact. This model is based on the regionalization approach of MIDEPLAN Organic Law of the Environment Law No.
7554 and its Regulation 25705MINAE) It was enacted to provide Costa Ricans and the Costa Rican State with the instruments necessary to achieve a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, seeking the well-being and improved quality of life of residents.
Water Law Law No. 276 This concerns regulation of water resources in the public and private domain.
Ley Forestal Law No. 7575 Defines the regulation of the State’s forest heritage in relation to private and public activities; it also declares protection areas and authorizes or prohibits the felling or removal of trees.
General Health Law Law No. 5395 Prescribes general and specific measures for planning and coordinating activities related to public health.
Biodiversity Law Law No. 7788 This law seeks to promote the use and conservation of elements of biological diversity. Among the principles it promotes is respect for life in all its forms, guaranteeing access to and distribution of the benefits derived from its use.
Wildlife Conservation Law Law No. 7317 It is intended to establish regulations for the protection and conservation of mainland and island wildlife in the national territory.
Soil Use, Management, and Conservation Law Law No.
7779 and its Regulation No.
29375 Its purpose is to protect, conserve, and improve soils through integrated and sustainable management alongside other natural resources, by promoting proper environmental planning.
Regulation on the Declaration of Special-Management Waste DE-38272 This concerns the management of waste declared to be special-management waste.
Regulation on the Integrated Management of Electronic Waste DE-35933 Regulation of electronic waste Regulation on the Characteristics and List of Industrial Hazardous Waste DE-27000 Regulate the definition, classification, and coding of hazardous waste Regulation on the Management of Industrial Hazardous Waste DE-27001 Regulate the definition, classification, and coding of hazardous waste Regulation on the management of infectious waste DE-30965 Establishes the requirements for the separation, packaging, storage, collection, transport, treatment, and final disposal of infectious waste generated in public and private health care facilities.
Regulation on Discarded Tires DE-33745 Protection of public health and the environment by establishing requirements, conditions, and controls for the treatment of discarded tires that meet current health and environmental requirements.
Regulation on Recoverable Waste Recovery Centers DE-35906 This regulation establishes the physical and health requirements and conditions that recoverable waste recovery centers must meet to operate in harmony with health and the environment in the national territory.
Environmental criteria established in the Law for Integrated Waste Management for the purchase of tires by entities that make up the Public Administration DE-38933S All entities that make up the Public Administration are required to include tire identification in the environmental management systems established under the Law for Integrated Waste Management. The program must include the requirement to keep statistics on expenses for purchasing and retreading tires and for their recovery or treatment by an authorized waste manager.
Regulation for the preparation of institutional environmental management programs in Costa Rica’s public sector DE-36499 Establish guidelines enabling all Public Administration institutions to formulate, update, and implement an Institutional Environmental Management Program “PGAI.” Regulation on environmental parks for the separation, treatment, recovery, and final disposal of solid waste No. 44421-S Establishes the physical and health requirements and conditions that environmental parks must meet for the separation, treatment, recovery, and final disposal of solid waste, including their location, design, construction, operation, and maintenance, as well as maintenance after their useful life.
Regulation on Discarded Tires DE-33745 Protection of public health and the environment by establishing requirements, conditions, and controls for the treatment of discarded tires that meet current health and environmental requirements.
Governance and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Costa Rica DE-40203 Establish an organizational structure to plan, implement, and follow up in Costa Rica on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, hereinafter “the SDGs,” and their 169 related targets, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, hereinafter “the 2030 Agenda.” National Sustainable Production and Consumption Policy 2018–2030 Gradually adopt sustainable production and consumption patterns that contribute to the well-being of the population in general and future generations by coordinating national planning instruments within an interinstitutional and intersectoral coordination framework.
I National Composting Plan 2020-20150 This is an initiative that will gradually enable the proper and efficient use of organic materials, promoting the circular economy and providing Costa Ricans with the knowledge and tools to improve waste management.
Institutional Environmental Policy The Municipality’s commitment to planning, protecting, preventing, and controlling the management of natural resources within the organization.
Institutional Environmental Management Program 2021–2026 This is the planning instrument that establishes short- and medium-term measures for the prevention, mitigation, and compensation/restoration of environmental impacts, under the principle of continuous improvement.
National Policy for Integrated Waste Management 2023–2033 and National Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management 2023–2028 Transform integrated waste management in the country by strengthening sociocultural, environmental, institutional, regulatory, financial, logistical, and technological aspects.
4. Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals for the Local Government of Goicochea Through coordinated work among the Environmental Management Directorate, its departments, other municipal offices, and social actors promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in the canton, the following goals affected by this work can be identified.
i. No Poverty A healthy and ecologically balanced environment promotes favorable psychological conditions so that people can be more productive and, in turn, have a better quality of life.
In this regard, the actions carried out by the Environmental Management Directorate, such as waste collection, maintenance of green areas and parks, the household composting program, and other activities, are considered to help reduce poverty.
Physical health is also affected, since cleaning and proper waste treatment make it possible to reduce the number of disease vectors that can harm the population.
One of the objectives of the composting project is to enable people to grow some of the food their families need. This is positive in terms of food security and poverty reduction.
This PMGIRS contributes to achieving SDG 1, target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. This is because vulnerable populations participate in different stages of integrated waste management, which is a source of employment and the main source of income for their families.
People who work in the recycling market are key participants in integrated waste management. They include formal recycling organizations or those in the process of becoming formal, and groups of women who head households. These groups, in turn, employ people and give those with very limited resources the opportunity to earn a living with dignity. Likewise, people working in municipal solid waste collection, whether they are Municipality employees or employees of service providers, are in most cases people with no formal education who live in poverty.
ii. Zero Hunger During 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, the household composting project was implemented. It includes a component for creating household gardens, using compost produced by families participating in the project. This will allow some families to grow food in their yards, helping ensure that the food they produce meets some of their nutritional needs.
The idea is to increase the number of neighbors with composters and urban gardens.
These actions included in this plan contribute to SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. They directly contribute to achieving targets 2.3 and 2.4 by supporting food security for people who compost at home.
iii. Good Health and Well-Being The presence of trees and plants growing in our parks and green areas helps provide people with recreational spaces where physical and mental health can benefit.
Likewise, specifically regarding SDG target 3.9, which states: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals and by air, water, and soil pollution and contamination,” the basic sanitation services included in this plan, such as solid waste collection and environmental education for the population, help keep communities clean and reduce illnesses transmitted by physical, chemical, and biological agents, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, among others.
iv. Quality Education Environmental education is promoted in communities and educational centers. It is considered essential, in order to advance environmental matters, to instill in people respect for nature, especially regarding key subjects such as protection of water resources, integrated waste management, protection of native flora and fauna, air quality, soil protection, and climate change, among others.
It is well known that the Ministry of Education and the National Government need support in working on environmental matters, and local governments can therefore play an important role in strengthening education on this subject.
For the next 5 years, the Municipality of Goicoechea plans to hire 2 environmental professionals on its staff to support environmental education in the canton or, alternatively, to subcontract this environmental education service to provide cantonal coverage, with results measured using monthly metrics.
v. Gender Equality With regard to this objective, to identify families to participate in the Composting Bin Project, the Municipality worked with the Women’s Office to select women who head households to assist with this important initiative. This population accounted for 50% of participation in the project.
It is considered important to ensure gender equality in the projects we carry out so that benefits can be distributed equitably among our neighbors.
vi. Clean Water and Sanitation SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Although this goal focuses primarily on universal access to drinking water and sanitation, it is also related to integrated solid waste management, since improper waste management can affect water quality and sanitation. In this regard, the Street Cleaning Department is responsible for keeping the roadside drainage channels clean so that rainwater does not carry waste into rivers. These important tasks are also included in this plan.
In addition, the Environmental Management Directorate works on protecting water resources by conducting reforestation campaigns, responding to complaints, managing waste, monitoring rivers, and holding cleanup campaigns. It also works to restore the protection zones along rivers, streams, and springs (nacientes). Coordination also takes place with the Goicoechea Health Area to address complaints about the illegal discharge of wastewater into water bodies. We are an active member of the Río Torres Biological Corridor.
The Goicoechea Canton Municipal Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management would contribute to progress toward these goals by promoting more sustainable waste management practices, reducing environmental pollution, improving residents’ quality of life, and promoting more equitable and responsible urban development.
vii. Affordable and Clean Energy Since last year, we have been part of a state initiative called Proyecto Mueve. It seeks to bring local governments, the State, and private companies together to promote urban mobility using clean technologies. In this particular case, that means rail, bicycles, and walking. In the first phase, a sustainable mobility model will be designed and installed in an area of approximately 5 kilometers.
On the other hand, cleanup and waste collection campaigns have a favorable impact on how clean our rivers are. Downstream, these rivers are used to produce hydroelectric power.
viii. Decent Work and Economic Growth Regarding SDG target 8.3, this Plan establishes lines of action that promote productive activities at different stages of integrated waste management: collection, transport, classification, recycling, etc.; the creation of decent jobs, such as in the recycling industry; entrepreneurship, since new individuals and legal entities emerge that contribute to integrated waste management; and creativity and innovation through research to make processes less polluting. It also promotes the formalization and growth of microenterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Environmental Management Directorate has a large staff. All staff members receive the salary required by law and all associated benefits. As a result, dozens of families can support themselves and enjoy a good quality of life.
The Municipality provides its employees with suitable conditions for performing their work, such as uniforms, tools, personal protective equipment, among others.
Likewise, continuous improvement in this and other areas of the Municipality leads to the development of new municipal processes that will make it possible to create more and better jobs.
ix. Industry, innovation and infrastructure This objective seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. In relation to SDG target 9.4, this Plan promotes the transformation of industries so that they are sustainable, using resources more efficiently and encouraging the adoption of existing or innovative technologies and cleaner industrial processes, reducing waste generation in an environmentally sound manner through awareness-raising processes for all productive sectors of the canton and the population in general.
Likewise, the household composter project implemented through this plan makes it possible to treat biodegradable organic waste in homes. This replaces the traditional treatment provided at the sanitary landfill, where these materials become contaminated and end up producing large quantities of greenhouse gases.
x. Reduced inequalities In this regard, the Department implemented the composter project, seeking to have participating families represent all sectors of the canton. This was done through an open call.
It is also important to say that the services of park maintenance, street cleaning, and collection of ordinary and non-traditional waste are provided to all our communities. There are some informal settlements that, by their very nature, cannot be included in the regular charges collected by the Municipality. Even so, for reasons of public health, the waste produced there is collected. In this way, these people can live in better conditions while they catch up on their obligations.
xi. Sustainable cities and communities This objective focuses on ensuring that cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Some relevant targets under this SDG include:
11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services, and upgrade slums.
The canton contributes to SDG target 11.1 by providing the entire population with sanitation services, such as the collection of both ordinary and recoverable waste.
11.6: Reduce the per capita negative environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and the management of municipal and other waste. Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge, out of the total urban solid waste generated, by city.
This plan contributes directly to achieving SDG target 11.6 by collecting solid waste regularly in all communities in the canton and disposing of all non-recoverable ordinary waste in authorized sanitary landfills, where solid waste is treated in an environmentally safe manner.
xii. Responsible consumption and production SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production: This objective addresses the need to change unsustainable production and consumption patterns, including waste management. Relevant targets include:
12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release into the air, water, and soil in order to minimize their impact on human health and the environment.
12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
The household composter project makes it possible to treat biodegradable organic waste in homes. This replaces the traditional treatment provided at the sanitary landfill, where these materials become contaminated and end up producing large quantities of greenhouse gases. The Project includes a component to create household gardens, using the compost produced for that purpose. This will allow some families to grow food in their yards, helping ensure that the food produced in this way benefits the families participating in the project.
The Department of Environmental Management, through its departments, provides ordinary waste collection and street-cleaning services twice a week in all neighborhoods in the canton, and collects non-traditional waste twice a year. Parks and green areas are also routinely maintained.
xiii. Climate action This SDG seeks to take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects. This plan is directly related to the target:
13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
This is within the framework of the environmental education component included in the action plan, taking into account that education on waste management includes promoting climate change mitigation actions through reduced waste generation, recycling, composting, among others.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions The household composter project, in and of itself, makes it possible to treat biodegradable organic waste in homes. This replaces the traditional treatment provided at the sanitary landfill, where these materials become contaminated and end up producing large quantities of greenhouse gases.
Natural disaster prevention.
Furthermore, the Department of Environmental Management, through its departments, provides ordinary waste collection and street-cleaning services twice a week in all neighborhoods in the canton, and collects non-traditional waste twice a year. This helps ensure that residents have the necessary facilities to manage their waste properly. This is important to prevent people from throwing their waste into the channels of streams and rivers in the canton. It is well known that, in addition to causing pollution, these illegal practices cause blockages which, if torrential rains occur, can lead to flash floods, endangering families living near rivers.
Occasionally, when an accumulation of waste is detected in river and stream channels, the Parks Department carries out a cleanup. This is done to prevent emergencies that might arise from channel blockages. The Department has also organized these cleanup campaigns with the support of Síndicos, Regidores, and the communities themselves.
This same Department conducts reforestation campaigns in river and stream protection zones and plants vetiver grass on some steep slopes. These actions help hold the soil in place, preventing landslides.
Temperature and water resources The presence of trees and flowering shrubs in the canton’s parks and green areas helps maintain more pleasant and uniform ambient temperatures and preserve water resources.
xiv. Life below water The Department of Environmental Management, through its departments, provides ordinary waste collection and street-cleaning services twice a week in all neighborhoods in the canton, and collects non-traditional waste twice a year. This helps ensure that residents have the necessary facilities to manage their waste properly. This is important to prevent people from throwing their waste into the channels of streams and rivers in the canton. These illegal practices pollute rivers and eventually the seas, causing damage to the marine ecosystem.
Occasionally, when an accumulation of waste is detected in river and stream channels, the Parks Department carries out a cleanup. The Department has also organized these cleanup campaigns with the support of Síndicos and communities.
This same Department conducts reforestation campaigns in protection zones of rivers and streams and plants vetiver grass on some steep slopes.
These actions help hold the soil in place, preventing landslides and erosion. This pollutes the channel and damages aquatic life.
xv. Life on land The Department of Environmental Management, through its departments, provides ordinary waste collection and street-cleaning services twice a week in all neighborhoods in the canton, and collects non-traditional waste twice a year. This helps ensure that residents have the necessary facilities to manage their waste properly. This is important to prevent people from throwing their waste in unauthorized places, such as the channels of streams and rivers in the canton, vacant lots, and/or parks and green areas. These illegal practices pollute ecosystems and harm wildlife, vegetation, water resources, and soil.
Occasionally, when an illegal accumulation of waste is detected, our departments carry out a cleanup. The Department has also organized these cleanup campaigns with the support of Síndicos and communities.
The Parks and Green Areas Department conducts reforestation campaigns in river and stream protection zones. This helps promote the presence of local flora and fauna.
The Department remains vigilant against any harm to natural resources through routine inspections and by addressing complaints filed by residents, such as illegal logging, hunting wild animals, illegal waste disposal, blocking river channels, encroachment into river and stream protection areas, unauthorized earthworks (movimientos de tierra), among others.
xvi. Peace, justice, and strong institutions SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions: This objective is the one most directly related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. Some specific targets under this SDG include:
16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
Successful implementation of the Municipal Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan can contribute to this objective, since effective waste management promotes public health, reduces pollution, and creates a cleaner and safer environment for all residents of the canton. In addition, establishing sound policies and regulations for waste management strengthens local governance and promotes transparency and accountability in decision-making.
xvii. Partnerships for the goals The Department of Environmental Management promotes and carries out actions for the benefit of the canton’s residents. These actions range from providing basic services, such as waste collection, to safeguarding and protecting ecosystem services, which allow residents to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment.
Our duties involve not only the work of our departments, but also require coordinated work with other municipal bodies, public and private entities, and civil society.
5. General characteristics of the canton 5.1.1. Geographical location Goicoechea is canton number 8 in the Province of San José, Costa Rica. It is located at the mean coordinates of 1101166 North Latitude and 501035 East Longitude.
It borders the cantons of Vázquez de Coronado and Moravia to the north, the canton of Tibás to the west, the canton of San José to the southeast, the canton of Montes de Oca to the south, and the canton of Cartago to the southwest.
According to the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the cantons are located on the Abra and Istarú map sheets (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Map showing the location of the districts of Goicoechea The canton covers an area of 31,7 km², making it the fifteenth largest canton in the province of San José. Its administrative center is the district of Guadalupe, which has city status, and it has a total of seven districts: Guadalupe, San Francisco, Calle Blancos, Mata de Plátano, Ipís, Rancho Redondo, and Purral (Table 2).
Table 2. Administrative Territorial Division of Goicoechea, by district, area, and plane coordinates.
District Area (km2) Plane coordinates (m) Latitude Longitude San Francisco 0,58 1099305 492012 Calle Blancos 2,36 1100058 492679 Guadalupe 2,39 1100069 494405 Mata de Plátano 7,79 1100783 500229 Purral 3,00 1101226 498008 Ipís 2,50 1101815 497894 Rancho Redondo 13,08 1101637 506292 5.1.2. Physical and geographical characteristics of the canton of Goicoechea A summary of the main physical and geographical characteristics of the canton of Goicoechea is presented below.
Table 3. Physical and geographical characteristics of the canton of Goicoechea Main physical and geographical characteristics Summary Indicator Data Source Road network The total length of the canton’s road network and through roads is 181,15 km, distributed among the seven districts. The two districts with the greatest road lengths are Mata de Plátano, with 39,81 km (22%), and Guadalupe, with 35,49 km (20%). The districts with the shortest road networks are San Francisco, with 5,89 km (3%), and Rancho Redondo, with 16,73 km (9%).
Lanamme (2022) Climate Because of its elevation, the canton generally has a humid, mild climate, with a moderate water deficit. The rainy season runs from April-May through November. Temperatures in the area vary from month to month; January is the coldest, and April and May are the warmest. February and March are the driest months, and September has high rainfall.
Municipality of Goicoechea, (2013) Elevation Guadalupe City 1204 m.a.s.l., San Francisco Town 1172 m.a.s.l., Calle Blancos Town 1185 m.a.s.l., Carmen Town 1.355 m.a.s.l., Ipís Town 1.340 m.a.s.l., and Rancho Redondo Town 2.048 m.a.s.l.
IFAM (n.d.)
Precipitation During the rainy season, average precipitation is 274,4 mm, and during the dry season it is 39,7. The average relative humidity for the canton is 84%.
Municipality of Goicoechea, (2013) Hydrography The canton’s river system belongs to the Pacific watershed, draining its waters into the Grande de Tárcoles River basin. The Purral River runs through the canton, joined by the Navarro River and Mozotal Stream, as well as the Ipís River, Durazno River, Torres River, Tiribí River, and the Barreal, Cangrejos, Patalillo, Patal, and Ribera streams.
ProDUS-UCR (2020) Geology The canton of Goicoechea is geologically composed of materials of volcanic origin from the Quaternary Period; rocks from the Pleistocene Epoch predominate in the region. The canton of Goicoechea is part of the volcanic-origin geomorphic unit, which is divided into two subunits called Irazú Volcano and Central Valley volcanic fill.
IFAM (n.d.)
Natural hazards The river network is considered the focal point of hydrometeorological hazards in the canton; it is closely associated with flooding, especially at Quebrada Rivera, Quebrada Barreal, Purral River, Torres River, and Mozotal River. This is compounded by poor planning in the location of human settlements and the continual dumping of solid waste into river channels. Landslides can be accelerated by earthquakes, heavy rainfall, erosion at the foot of slopes, broken water pipes, etc., due to the dominant type of lithology in the canton (ash), which favors the formation of very steep slopes.
Future changes in exposure, vulnerability, and extreme weather events resulting from natural climate variability, anthropogenic climate change, and socioeconomic development may alter the impacts.
ProDUS-UCR (2020) 5.1.3. Demographic characteristics of the canton of Goicoechea Table 4 presents the main demographic data for the population of the canton of Goicoechea.
Table 4. Demographic characteristics of the canton of Goicoechea Main demographic characteristics Indicator Data Source Estimated total population Year 2024 142 796 inhabitants https://services.inec.go.cr/proyecci onpoblacion/frmproyec.aspx Total population CENSUS Year 2000: 117 532 inhabitants INEC (2011) Year 2011: 115 084 inhabitants District # inhabitants Density INEC (2011) Guadalupe 20 663 8 331,90 Population density (Year 2011) San Francisco 2 032 4 064, 0 Calle Blancos 18 984 7 943, 1 Mata de Plátano 17 370 2 212,70 Ipis 26 033 9 398,20 Rancho Redondo 2 538 202,70 Purral 27 464 9 185,30 By sex (Year 2011) 60 815 women (51%) INEC (2011) 54 269 men (49%) By urban/rural area Urban Area: 113 399 inhabitants INEC (2011) Rural Area: 1 685 inhabitants Land use Category Ha % ProDUS-UCR (2020) Residential 841,69 26,57 Forests 807,47 25,49 Pastures 436,89 13,79 Pastures with scattered trees 404,91 12,78 Paved road 228,05 7,2 Industrial 94,07 2,97 Other crops 79,05 2,5 Scrubland 67,18 2,12 Coffee 62,46 1,97 Commercial and miscellaneous services 39,79 1,26 Education and culture 30,36 0,96 Sports and recreation 13,46 0,42 Other urban services 13,19 0,42 Governmental or public entity 8,39 0,26 Park and green area 8,01 0,25 Transportation and storage 7,7 0,24 Fruit trees 5,94 0,19 Cemetery 5,89 0,19 River channel 5,73 0,18 Health and welfare 5,46 0,17 Dump, landfill, or quarry 1,63 0,05 Vegetables and grains 0,64 0,02 Surface water 0,29 0,01 Total 3 168,24 100 Total dwellings District Year ProDUS-UCR (2020) INEC (2011) 2000 2011 Guadalupe 7054 6889 San Francisco 747 675 Calle Blancos 5580 5877 Mata de Plátano 4445 5292 Ipis 6664 7483 Rancho Redondo 648 728 Purral 6494 7585 Total 31 632 34 529 Source: Prepared by the authors based on INEC data (2000-2011).
The INEC 2011 census data are used because they are official data. However, because those data are quite old, a current population projection is made using the link https://services.inec.go.cr/proyeccionpoblacion/frmproyec.aspx, which gives a total population of 142 796 inhabitants for the canton in 2024. This is useful because, although it is a projection, it shows population growth in the canton, given that INEC has not yet made the 2022 census data official.
6. Diagnosis Characteristics of the municipal services under the responsibility of the Environmental Department in the canton Waste collection and public street-cleaning services are provided on the premise that local governments must guarantee everyone’s right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment while protecting public health. This prevents improper waste management, which could affect human health and ecosystems by polluting water, soil, and air and contributing to climate change.
Therefore, the municipality’s Senior Management and the Department of Environmental Management make a significant effort to ensure that ordinary waste collection is selective, accessible, regular, and efficient.
Currently, two departments within the Department of Environmental Management are responsible for collecting and finally disposing of waste: the Sanitation and Hygiene Department is responsible for collecting ordinary, recoverable, and special-handling waste (also known as non-traditional waste). The Street Cleaning Department is responsible for cleaning streets and drainage ditches.
Street Cleaning This service is essential to ensure the health of communities and to allow rainwater to flow freely into storm drains, thereby preventing floods that cause road closures and damage to homes and businesses. This work also helps prevent rivers and streams from being polluted by non-biodegradable waste, such as bottles, packaging, bags, among others.
For the assignment and supervision of work, the canton is divided into 38 sectors, which cover all neighborhoods in the canton’s districts.
In 2022, street sweepers collected a total of 3.322,55 tonnes of waste from the canton’s streets, sidewalks, and drainage ditches. Completing the routes and subsequently disposing of the waste at the sanitary landfill required 864 trips by dump trucks and cost ? 46.023.777 (payment to the sanitary landfill).
Table 5. Summary of street-cleaning data Indicator Data Sectors where collection is provided 38 different sectors across the 7 districts Total tonnes 3 322,55 Trips made 864 Amount paid to the sanitary landfill ? 46 023 777 Maintenance of Municipal Parks and Green Areas Municipal parks and green areas are an important part of our communities. These areas provide a space for recreation and physical and mental relaxation for the canton’s residents.
Parks contain important features such as trees, shrubs, grass, and infrastructure. Together, these features create an appropriate environment for residents to enjoy.
For parks and green areas to provide the ecosystem services for which they were created, they need proper maintenance. This includes mowing grassy areas, pruning or cutting down trees, and creating infrastructure such as playground equipment, benches, tables, stationary exercise machines, among others.
6.1. Composition and annual generation of ordinary waste produced in the canton 6.1.1. Waste composition There is a report entitled “Determination of the generation and composition of ordinary solid waste in the canton of Goicoechea (FEMETRON, 2011).” This report was prepared following the Methodology for Ordinary Solid Waste Generation and Composition Studies and the plan shown in the following tables.
Table 7. Number of dwellings sampled in the waste composition study FEMETRON, 2011 Table 8. Summary of samples collected by area FEMETRON, 2011 Based on the report entitled “Determination of the generation and composition of ordinary solid waste in the canton of Goicoechea (FEMETRON, 2011),” the following data are available on the canton’s waste composition.
Figure 2. Waste composition, low-income stratum FEMETRON, 2011 Figure 3. Waste composition, middle-income stratum FEMETRON, 2011 Figure 4. Waste composition, high-income stratum FEMETRON, 2011 From the data above, it can be concluded that the largest share of solid waste generated in the canton of Goicoechea is organic waste, ranging from 34% to 47% of all waste collected. Recyclable waste, in turn, ranges from 30% to 38%.
Non-recoverable waste represents only one quarter of all waste collected by the Municipality. That is, no more than 25%. Of that amount, at least 3% could be used in co-processing because, when dry, it has significant calorific value and can therefore be used as fuel in cement production by companies such as Geocycle.
Hazardous waste is present in ordinary waste and accounts for up to 7% of the waste collected.
Special-handling waste found in ordinary waste represents less than 1%.
According to information from the Municipality’s Department of Environmental Management, the current composition of urban waste is estimated as follows:
Table 9. General composition of solid waste in the canton of Goicoechea.
Type Total tonnes Percentage Aluminum 7 3,55% Cardboard 35 17,77% HDPE plastic 5,7 2,89% Iron 32 16,24% Litro 4 2,03% Paper 16 8,12% White paper 53 26,90% Newsprint 0,26 0,13% PET plastic 7,2 3,65% Aluminum radiators 0,003 0,00% Tetrabrik 4,5 2,28% Glass 11,6 5,89% Vino 18,5 9,39% Manila 0,1 0,05% Source: Municipality of Goicoechea, 2024.
6.1.2. Ordinary waste generation According to INEC data, daily waste generation per resident has remained constant at 0.73 kilograms (INEC 130.000hab.)
The Department of Environmental Management, for its part, records the following data on ordinary waste collected in the canton in recent years.
Table 10. Ordinary solid waste collected in the canton of Goicoechea in recent years.
Description 2022 2023 2024 Ordinary solid waste disposed of at the sanitary landfill (Tonnes) 27 490 34 895 32590 Final disposal service cost ? 380.783.347.
? 419.634.166 ? 463 271 500 Recovered waste (Tonnes) 195 169 169 Total waste generated 27 685 35 064 32 759 tonnes Dwellings 37426 37426 37426 Generation per dwelling 2.03 kg/day 2.57 kg/day 2.40 kg/day Total population 132 104 132 104 132 104 Per capita generation 0.57 kg/person/day 0.73 kg/person/day 0.68 kg/person/day The following chart shows the number of tonnes collected by the different departments and programs in 2023. A total of 34 895 tonnes were transported to the sanitary landfill (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Tonnes collected and disposed of at the sanitary landfill. Year 2024 8 27.65 1.35 5 6 2.03 1.541 32.590 - 5.000 10.000 15.000 20.000 25.000 30.000 35.000 Ordinary waste Street cleaning Illegal dumps Non-traditional waste Total collected Tonnes Source: DGA, 2025 Summary of tonnes of waste collected by the Sanitation and Hygiene Department (by category), year 2023.
Table 11. Non-recoverable ordinary waste collected in 2024.
Category Tonnes Ordinary waste 27.658 Street cleaning 1.355 Illegal dumps 2.036 Non-traditional waste 1.541 Total collected 32.590 Final disposal cost ? 463 271 500 Source: DGA, 2025 6.2. Collection frequency and coverage Description of ordinary waste collection and final disposal service Solid waste in the canton of Goicoechea is collected by the Municipality using its own trucks and personnel, administered by the institution itself.
The service for collecting non-recoverable ordinary solid waste is provided in the canton through 8 routes, each operating 2 times per week. These routes include all communities in the 7 districts.
Collection of non-recoverable ordinary waste covers 100% of the canton.
Non-recoverable ordinary waste collection routes According to information from the COLLECTION DEPARTMENT, the established routes for collecting non-recoverable solid waste are as follows:
ROUTE NUMBER ONE.
Truck license plate SM4809, Iveco brand. Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 1-1.
Ingeniería Industrial, Bajo los acuñas, straight section of Moravia up to the bridge, San Gerardo, Santa Cecilia, along Guadalupano, Barrio Campos.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 1-2.
Bº Pilar, Fire Station, San Antonio, Gallito, Moreno Cañas, Independencia.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 1-3.
Monte Limar, rest of Pilar Jiménez, Esquivel Bonilla.
ROUTE NUMBER TWO.
Truck license plate SM8139, Iveco brand, Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 2-1.
Urbanización El Encanto ?-??-??? and surrounding area.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 2-2.
From Guadalupe Park to the San Francisco bridge, including along Canal 4, Colonia del Río, Barrio la Margarita, Barrio Mira Flores, Las Magnolias, straight section of the Guadalupe Cemetery.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 2-3.
Villas Turnon, Ulacit, across from la Republica, around EL pueblo Shopping Center, Recope, Laica, around Simón Bolívar, up to San Francisco bridge, Lotes Volio.
ROUTE NUMBER THREE.
Truck license plate SM7905, Iveco brand Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 3-1.
From the entrance to Purral eastward to the Pali in Ipis, Bajo Moravia, El Roblar, Urb. Saint Clare.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 3-2.
Las Orquídeas, Kobert factory up to the Diarmo depot, Claraval, Bruncas, La Pradera, La Toyota.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 3-3.
Main road to Mozotal up to the entrance to Monte Sol; Calle Ana Frank toward Purral abajo; around Purral abajo, Urb. Las Lomas and Calle La Hormiga; main entrance to Purral; bus depot of Guadalupe company; Calle Morales; dead-end street across from Urb. Las Lomas.
ROUTE NUMBER FOUR.
Truck license plate SM6864, Volkswagen brand Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 4-1.
Urbanización Bella Vista, urbanización La Chanita, Calle Gutiérrez entrance up to the bridge, urbanización Flor de Luz, El Balbanero, Urbanización Don Carlos, Urb. Las Marianas.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 4-2.
Urbanización El Progreso, Urbanización El Pueblo, Caserío las 85, Urbanización Loremar, Urbanización los Cuadros including caserío 1, 2, 3, Urb. El Oasis, urbanización La Lupita.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 4-3.
Around Calle Blancos Technical High School, around Coca Cola, Calle Blancos by the Plaza, Santo Tomás, La vuelta del Aguacate, Calle del Guadalupano, Condominios 1, 2 and 3.
ROUTE NUMBER FIVE.
Truck license plate SM6132, Iveco brand Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 5-1.
Two kilometers east of Vistas del Valle to the AyA tanks in Jaboncillal, and from Vistas del Valle to Palí.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 5-2.
From the Sabanilla entrance to the Mata de Plátano bridge, including Residencial Yaranaba, Azul del Prado, Tejares, and Hortensias.
Route 5-1 on Thursdays This route is the same as Monday’s, except that instead of ending at the Ay A tanks in Jaboncillal, it goes to the plant nursery at the end of Jaboncillal Road.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 5-3.
From Guadalupe Church southward, then east to the exit toward Moravia, Calle Paso Hondo up to the bridge, B° Corazón de Jesús, B° Cristal, etc.
ROUTE NUMBER SIX.
Truck license plate SM6528, Volkswagen brand Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 6-1.
Korobó, urbanización La Lucha, urbanización La Mora, El progreso, and La Facio.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 6-2.
Urbanización Zetillal, urbanización Nazareno, urbanización la Morita, La Floresta 1 and 2.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 6-3.
Factories to the east, urbanización La Trinidad de Mozotal, urbanización Carla María, urbanización Monte Sol, Vista de Mar, El Edén, Urb. Bruno Martínez, around Colegio Salvador Umaña, around Palí Ipís.
ROUTE NUMBER SEVEN Truck license plate SM8047, Iveco brand Route by day.
MONDAY AND THURSDAY. ROUTE 7-1.
Straight section from the Moravia intersection eastward, urbanización La Robert, behind Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor, urbanización Odily, urbanización Los Rodríguez.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, ROUTE 7-2.
Bº Minerva, urbanización Kurú, urbanización Los Olimpos.
WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY, ROUTE 7-3.
Lotes Volio abajo, San Gabriel, border with Cinco Esquinas de Tibás, straight section of Coca Cola up to the Tibás Bridge, including its entrances, behind Mercedes Benz (La Conejera) ROUTE NUMBER EIGHT Truck license plate SM 4810, Volkswagen brand Route by day.
MONDAY ROUTE 8-1.
El Rocío, La Lucha, Calle Gutiérrez, Flor de Luz, Balbanero, Marianas, Don Carlos, from the straight section of Purral arriba to Flor de Luz, Los Nogales.
TUESDAY ROUTE 8-2.
Salitrillos, Niza, straight section to Esc. El Carmen (Calle Nueva), Tepeyac 1 (long streets), La Lupita, straight section of La Nena up to Funn, El Pueblo, Canasta de La Nena.
WEDNESDAY ROUTE 8-3.
La Coca Cola, Esc. Doc. Ferras, Lotes Volio, Banco Nacional Warehouses, Calox, El Progreso, La Isla (Vista de Mar).
THURSDAY ROUTE 8-4.
Rancho Redondo from the entrance to La Socola to Vista de Mar (Hospicio de Huérfanos, La Lupita, Don Carlos, straight section of Don Carlos to Calle Gutiérrez, Las Marianas, Balbanero, and the straight section to Puerta Madera.
FRIDAY, ROUTE 8-5.
El Pueblo, El Progreso, turn at La Mora, straight section of La Mora to Iglesia Techo Verde, straight section of El Pueblo to Funn, Oasis, El Matadero, Canasta de La Nena.
SATURDAY Lomas de Tepeyac, Salitrillo, La Estéfana.
Table 12. Summary of non-recoverable ordinary waste collection in Goicoechea, year 2024.
Indicator Data Districts where non-recoverable ordinary waste collection is provided 7 districts (100% coverage) with 8 established routes Frequency Twice weekly (2 times/week) Total tonnes 27.658 Trips made 2 536 No. of trucks used 14 units Recycling collection routes As part of compliance with the Law for the Comprehensive Management of Waste (Ley 8839) and its Regulations, it has been established that this Local Government must promote the Waste Hierarchy principle.
There is no selective solid waste collection in the canton of Goicoechea; only non-recoverable ordinary waste is collected.
The Municipality of Goicoechea conducts several campaigns to provide canton residents with strategic locations where they can bring their recoverable waste so that it can be properly managed.
Table 13. Established recycling routes in the canton of Goicoechea Truck Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday (5 h) Friday (3 h) A Rancho and Mata de Plátano Ipís Guadalupe San Francisco Shopping centers, institutions, and educational centers: Rancho and Mata de Plátano. Subject to registration Truck cleaning B Purral Ipís Guadalupe and Calle Blancos Shopping centers, public and private institutions, and educational centers: Guadalupe, Calle Blancos, and San Francisco. Subject to registration Shopping centers, institutions, and educational centers: Ipís. Subject to registration Truck cleaning C Purral and Mata de Plátano Condominiums in Mata de Plátano and Purral: La Esperanza, Ave del Paraíso, Majestuosos Prados, Valle Alto, Alta Vista, Vistas del Valle, Isabela del Carmen, Lomas de Montes de Oca, La Estefana, Hda. Las Palmas, Vistas del Rey, Puerta de Madera, Alamos, Centauro, Carmel, Villa Alta, El Ángel, Paseo de la Ribera, and Castillo del Rey Calle Blancos Shopping centers, public and private institutions, and educational centers: Guadalupe, Calle Blancos, and San Francisco. Subject to registration Shopping centers, institutions, and educational centers: Purral. Subject to registration Truck cleaning Figure 6. Map of recycling collection routes in the canton of Goicoechea.
Selective collection of recoverable waste The following campaigns are conducted in the canton:
1-Recoverable waste collection route at the community level (collection twice weekly).
This route is offered twice weekly and runs every Wednesday morning.
To carry this out, the Municipality acquired a large truck, which makes it possible to complete the assigned route.
In the communities served, fixed points were established in each neighborhood, where participating residents bring recoverable material and the Municipality collects it.
For each neighborhood added to this schedule, community members received training on comprehensive waste management. This was done through talks held in the evening. The corresponding community leaders were contacted, and neighborhood community halls were used.
This schedule began in mid-2016 and has been maintained consistently to date. Over time, new communities have been added. The plan is to increase the number of participating communities. This route currently provides recoverable waste collection to 2.067 dwellings (7.395 people).
2-External collection point. Municipal Palace This campaign began in mid-2018 with the placement of an ecological module to receive recoverable waste brought in by residents. It is located in the north parking lot of the Municipal Palace building.
The collection point is operational during office hours, Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. It is available to all residents of the canton.
3-Municipal Palace Since 2016, ecological modules have been placed in the hallways and offices of this building so that employees and visitors can properly separate and dispose of their solid waste.
The modules are serviced once a week with the help of Sanitation and Hygiene Department personnel.
All personnel working at the Municipal Palace were trained in 2016 on comprehensive waste management so that the ecological modules would be used properly.
The modules appear to be managed properly.
Figure 7. Photograph of an ecological collection point installed at the Municipal Palace of Goicoechea.
4-Recoverable waste collection service on request.
Coordination has taken place with several public institutions and private companies in the canton so that they donate their recoverable solid waste to the Municipality.
The Department of Environmental Management coordinates with representatives of each institution or company to collect the material according to storage capacity (Table 15).
Table 14. Organizations participating in on-request recycling collection in the canton of Goicoechea Location District Validity 1 Offices of the Ministry of Justice and Peace Guadalupe 2019-2024 2 Ministry of Labor Building San Francisco 2019-2024 3 Ministry of Finance Warehouses Calle Blancos 2017-2024 4 Banco de Costa Rica Guadalupe 2018-2024 5 Banco Popular Warehouses San Francisco 2017-2024 6 Hotel Radisson San Francisco 2016-2024 7 Evertek San Francisco 2017-2024 Municipal Collection Center It is important to indicate that, until 2024, the Municipality of Goicoechea had a Collection Center, where the recoverable waste collected by the institution through its campaigns was processed.
This Center operated from 2015 to 2024. The following information is available on the recoverable waste processed at that recovery center.
Table 15. Recoverable waste collected in the canton of Goicoechea by the Municipality through 2024.
| Waste type | Total (tons) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 7 |
| Cardboard | 28 |
| HDP | 4 |
| Iron | 24 |
| Liter | 3 |
| Paper | 11 |
| White Paper | 51 |
| Newspaper | 0,26 |
| PET | 6,1 |
| Aluminum Radiators | 0,002 |
| Tetrabrik | 4,5 |
| Glass | 11,6 |
| Wine | 18,5 |
| MANILA | 0,1 |
| Total | 169 |
During 2024, a total of 169 tons of recoverable waste was recovered and sent for recycling.
It should be noted that the list of recoverable materials varies in accordance with the guidelines of the authorized waste manager, which may include: plastics with resin identification code (RIC) #3 (PVC), #4 (LDPE), #5 (PP), #6 (PS), and #7 (Other), exclusively clean and dry, with no organic waste or mixtures. The list may be updated by resolution of the Environmental Management Directorate.
Regarding collection schedules and the final disposal site:
The above waste collection routes operate during daytime hours. Staff begin their work in the early hours of the day.
The amount of waste collected by each truck varies. Generally, one or two trips per route are made daily to the sanitary landfill located in Aserrí, Parque Tecnología Ambiental Acserri, operated by Empresas EBI Berthier de Costa Rica.
The staff carrying out collection work according to route completion and do not have a set work schedule to fulfill.
The percentage of the population covered, and the estimated number of inhabitants who have collection service, is 100%. This is because collection service is provided on all routes where access is available in the canton.
### 6.3. Experiences, initiatives, and resources available in the canton for integrated waste management #### Collection of nontraditional waste Since 2016, the Municipality has collected nontraditional waste, and since 2024 this has been done twice a year throughout the canton. This is a sanitation measure for bulky waste, much of which is special-management waste.
With regard to nontraditional waste, collection campaigns are established so that canton residents can dispose of their nontraditional waste properly and without incurring additional costs.
A total of 204 routes have been established to cover the 7 districts. The campaigns take place twice (2) a year, each lasting 2 months. In total, 1541 tons of waste were collected in 2024, requiring a total of 453 trips and costing ? 25.811.750 for disposal at the landfill.
It was from the second half of 2020, with the support of the Mayor’s Office, that the Municipality was able to implement more impactful Nontraditional Waste Collection Campaigns, increasing their frequency from once every two years to twice (2) a year in each of our neighborhoods. Thanks to the increased frequency of this service, the Municipality has been able to help residents avoid accumulating materials they do not need on their properties. These materials not only take up space, but can also harbor pests (rodents, mosquitoes, cockroaches, among others). In addition, this helps prevent some people from engaging in improper practices, such as dumping waste on public roads, vacant lots, in parks and green areas, and in the canton’s rivers and streams. This clearly harms people’s health and the appearance of our communities, and also affects real estate values.
Table 16. Summary of nontraditional waste collected by the Municipality in 2022.
| Collection of nontraditional waste | Indicator | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Districts receiving collection service | 7 districts (100% coverage), with 204 established routes | |
| Frequency | 2 times a year, each lasting 2 months | |
| Total tons | 1541 | |
| Trips made | 453 | |
| Amount paid to the sanitary landfill | ? 25.811.750 |
These campaigns consist of two annual rounds, each covering the entire canton. The first begins in May and the second in September. Each scheduled round lasts two full months.
All kinds of materials are collected: furniture, biomass, appliances in poor condition, and construction waste.
#### Christmas tree recycling In 2024, more than 325 Christmas trees from households in our communities were recovered.
#### Composting Pilot Project During 2020, the Environmental Management Directorate took part in a competition sponsored by GIZ called Ciudad Verde. The Municipality of Goicoechea was selected as the winner with its proposal called Goico-Verde, receiving the full amount of the funds ($15.000).
The Project proposed developing 3 areas:
. Composting ordinary biodegradable waste through the use of compost bins.
. Holding workshops to create urban vegetable gardens and gardens, using the compost generated in participating households.
. Creating green infrastructure through work by the Municipality and residents, with campaigns to plant trees and shrubs. The program is called: Adopt a Tree.
To date, 156 household compost bins have been purchased and put into operation. As part of the purchase, the contractor also provided training, supplies (pellets), and project follow-up. The Environmental Management Directorate follows up with participating families through telephone calls and visits.
As a result of the GIZ Project, the Municipality plans to purchase 6,500 compost bins over the next 5 years for distribution among families in the canton. Accordingly, 1,300 compost bins would be purchased annually, since studies show that 20% of the canton’s population will have the means to take part in this Project.
At the end of 2023, the Municipality of Goicoechea arranged the purchase of 1.724 new compost bins, as a follow-up to the Pilot Plan launched in 2020.
These machines were distributed throughout all communities during 2024 and 2025, with the aim of reducing the amount of organic biodegradable waste sent to the sanitary landfill.
Additionally, together with GIZ, there is a possibility of establishing a canton-wide composting plant to make use of our own organic waste from the Farmers’ Markets and pruning waste.
A GIZ financial study indicates that there is a possibility of establishing a composting plant in the canton that could become profitable in the long term, with possible adjustments to the operational phase. The topics developed by GIZ are set out below.
Figure 8. Images of a household compost bin (left) and the organic fertilizer produced (right).
#### Selective collection of recoverable waste (recycling) One of the most ambitious and impactful environmental projects for our communities, underway since 2023, is the implementation of canton-wide collection service for recoverable waste.
This was made possible by acquiring trucks and hiring the corresponding staff. To carry out this work, routes were designed so that all homes and businesses in the canton would have collection service.
It is important to indicate that, during 2023, work began on repairing 2 municipal trucks, which were fitted with new cargo boxes to cover the municipal routes for collecting recoverable waste.
Figure 9. Goicoechea recoverable-waste collection truck #### Future projects Complete recoverable-waste collection routes The Municipality is working to generate the financial resources needed to hire operational staff so it can cover all routes in the canton with selective collection of recoverable waste.
#### Infrastructure:
##### Compactor collection trucks During 2024, the compactor trucks of this department made a total of 2536 trips to cover the corresponding routes, including trips to the sanitary landfill. The Municipality has fourteen (14) compactor trucks for this work.
These units are kept in a preventive-maintenance program to avoid major mechanical problems and thereby improve fuel efficiency.
##### Recoverable-waste collection trucks The Municipality of Goicoechea has five recycling trucks under its direct ownership. However, it provides selective collection service for recoverable waste using only one truck, as it does not have enough staff for this service.
### 6.4. Existing technologies and management practices In order to analyze nearby successful cases and the possibility of strategic partnerships, the Municipality has visited some places with partnership potential, described below:
#### Pedregal Resin8 Collection Center Nonrecoverable plastics generally end up in a sanitary landfill because there is no viable technology for recycling them. These plastics, which have no economic value, generate costs associated with their final disposal and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The relationship with RESING8 focuses on keeping these nonrecoverable plastics out of the sanitary landfill and the environment by giving them a new use.
However, Pedregal has a factory that produces synthetic sand from nonrecyclable plastics such as multilayer packaging, polypropylene, polystyrene, plastic bags, contaminated plastics, Styrofoam, PVC, among others.
This initiative focuses on transforming plastics into a product called RESIN8T, a synthetic sand used in the construction industry, transforming nonrecoverable plastic waste for the general benefit.
Location: San Antonio, Belén Material conditions: They accept material delivered to their facilities and neither pay nor charge for processing it.
The primary objective of this type of agreement would be to address the management of nonrecoverable plastics (plastics numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7) in the canton of Goicoechea. We hope to become one of Costa Rica’s first cantons with zero plastic waste.
Since 2025, the Municipality of Goicoechea has had an agreement with Pedregal and delivers nonrecyclable plastics once a month.
#### Curridabat Municipality Transfer Station This municipal transfer station, operated by the Municipality itself, is a facility for transferring solid waste from collection units (collection trucks) to larger-capacity units (trailers/transfer trucks) by gravity.
This optimizes the transport of waste sent for final disposal at sanitary landfills.
Location: Curridabat #### La Calma Collection Centers in Paseo Colón, San José, and Mata de Plátano Collection Center Ordinary recoverable-waste recovery centers that receive waste from municipal recoverable-waste collection campaigns. At these centers, waste is sorted, processed, and compacted, and then sent to different larger waste managers, where each material is recycled.
Location: Near Paseo Colón, San José.//Mata de Plátano, Goicoechea.
Figure 10. Images of the La Calma collection center located in San José Furthermore, according to the record available on the Ministry of Health website, the following authorized waste managers are located within the canton of Goicoechea.
Table 17. Register of Authorized Waste Managers in the canton of Goicoechea
| Company | District | Exact address | Name of legal representative | Legal representative’s number | Waste type | Quantity in tons | Waste description | Collection | Transport | Collection | Preparation for recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECOLECTORA Y EMPACADORA CAPRI S.A. | Ipís | Blue warehouses, recycling sign, east side of Mercado Mueble | María Antonieta Quirós Campos | 2225 6227/8966 0561 | Ordinary | 6,00000 | Nonrecoverable | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| RECOLECTORA Y EMPACADORA CAPRI S.A. | Ipís | Blue warehouses, recycling sign, east side of Mercado Mueble | María Antonieta Quirós Campos | 2225 6227/8966 0561 | Nonhazardous | 24,0000 0 | Scrap metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RECOLECTORA Y EMPACADORA CAPRI S.A. | Ipís | Blue warehouses, recycling sign, east side of Mercado Mueble | María Antonieta Quirós Campos | 2225 6227/8966 0561 | Special management | 1,50000 | Tires | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| RECICLYNG GROUP S.A. | Ipís | Alto de Guadalupe, in front of A y A, Terracota premises | Kermitt Salas Salas | 8347-9304 | Hazardous | 2 400,000 00 | Printer ink cartridges, laser printer toner, and inkjet printer cartridges | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CESAR CASTRO THAMES (RECICLAJE THAMES - EMPRESA RUTERA) | Guadalupe | From La Robert, 400 m south and 50 m east | Cesar Castro Thames | 8339-1883 | Ordinary | 4,53000 | Paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum, and glass | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| RECUPERADORA BOSQUES PLÁSTICO S.A. | Ipís | 200 m east of Jimènez y Tanzi, left-hand side | Ana Longina Quiros Campos | 22921594 / 8335-4967 | Ordinary | 35,0000 0 | Plastic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RECUPERADORA BOSQUES PLÁSTICO S.A. | Ipís | 200 m east of Jimènez y Tanzi, left-hand side | Ana Longina Quiros Campos | 2292-1594 / 8335-4967 | Special management | 0,10000 | Used tires | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RECUPERADORA BOSQUES PLÁSTICO S.A. | Ipís | 200 m east of Jimènez y Tanzi, left-hand side | Ana Longina Quiros Campos | 22921594 / 8335-4967 | Nonhazardous | 1,00000 | Iron scrap | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| JONATHAN PORRAS MORALES (WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT ROUTE COMPANY) | Purral | Purral, Calle Soto, 200 m east and 200 m south of the A y A tanks | Jonathan Porras Morales | 8699-0234 | Ordinary | 3,00000 | Scrap metal | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| JONATHAN PORRAS MORALES (WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT ROUTE COMPANY) | Purral | Purral, Calle Soto, 200 m east and 200 m south of the A y A tanks | Jonathan Porras Morales | 8699-0234 | Special management | 2,50000 | Vehicle scrap | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| ENVASES COMECA S.A. | Calle Blancos | 100 m east, 300 m north of the overpass, Tibas | Jaime Mesalles Vargas | 2257-7490 | Nonhazardous | 480,000 00 | Metals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MANUEL ELÍAS CUBERO SEGURA | Mata Plátano | 150 m south of José Cubero Muñoz School, brown gate on the right | Manuel Elías Cubero Segura | 8720-0095 | Ordinary | 3 500,000 00 | Household waste with a high organic content, and paper, cardboard, plastics, among others | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DISTRIBUIDORA QUIRÓS Y RETANA S.A. | San Francisco | 75 m west of the Guadalupe Shopping Center | Alvaro Enrique Quiros Soto | 22231553 / 8892-4995 | Ordinary | 50,0000 0 | Recoverable (cardboard) and nonrecoverable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SEVASA S.A. | Guadalupe | 50 m east of Palí Novacentro, Guadalupe | Hugo Poltronieri Trejos | 22340210 / 8680-2320 | Ordinary | 0,50000 | Cardboard | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| CARLOS ROBERTO FONSECA ESPINOZA (PLASTIC WASTE INDUSTRIES) | Calle Blancos | 300 m east, 100 m north of Amazon | Carlos Roberto Fonseca Espinoza | 70247988 / 7014-5641 | Ordinary | 75,0000 0 | Plastic (PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, PC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| LAURA MARÍA MORA HIDALGO (GOICOECHEA WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT) | Ipís | Zetillal, 300 m south of INA, 25 m west | Laura Maria Mora Hidalgo | 8369-8489 | Ordinary | 125,000 00 | Glass, cardboard, paper, plastic, scrap metal, aluminum | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| RECICLADORA QUÍMICA FLEXOGRÁFICA S.A. | Purral | Behind the Catholic Church, next to Asembis, Canfinera premises | Luis Manuel Cruz Ramírez | 8898-9900 | Nonhazardous | 0,10000 | Soft polymer-based waste | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| RECICLADORA QUÍMICA FLEXOGRÁFICA S.A. | Purral | Behind the Catholic Church, next to Asembis, Canfinera premises | Luis Manuel Cruz Ramírez | 8898-9900 | Hazardous | 1,00000 | Solvents for the flexographic industry (Ecosolve and/or Thinner) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RECICLADORA QUÍMICA FLEXOGRÁFICA S.A. | Purral | Behind the Catholic Church, next to Asembis, Canfinera premises | Luis Manuel Cruz Ramírez | 8898-9900 | Special management | 0,05000 | Cloths with solvent and paint residue | No | No | Yes | No |
| Empaques Reciclados de Costa Rica AQS S.A | San Francisco | 150 m south of Mata de Plátano School | Álvaro Enrique Quirós Soto | 8892 4995 | Ordinary | 1,00000 | Plastic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CENTRO DE ACOPIO EL ALTO | Guadalupe | EL ALTO, 100 EAST OF COLEGIO DIVINO PASTOR, IN FRONT OF THE FORMER BNCR BRANCH | Manrique Durán Ballestero | 8811-9622 | Nonhazardous | 0,25000 | Vehicle parts, beverage cans, metal furniture in poor condition, machinery parts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CENTRO DE ACOPIO EL ALTO | Guadalupe | EL ALTO, 100 EAST OF COLEGIO DIVINO PASTOR, IN FRONT OF THE FORMER BNCR BRANCH | Manrique Durán Ballestero | 8811-9622 | Special management | 0,10000 | Motor vehicles and special equipment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Empaques Reciclados de Costa Rica AQS S.A | San Francisco | 150 m south of Mata de Plátano School | Álvaro Enrique Quirós Soto | 8892 4995 | Ordinary | 68,5000 0 | Cardboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Empaques Reciclados de Costa Rica AQS S.A | San Francisco | 150 m south of Mata de Plátano School | Álvaro Enrique Quirós Soto | 8892 4995 | Nonhazardous | 0,50000 | Scrap metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
### 6.5. Final disposal sites, their useful life, and quantity deposited in tons per year. Also identifying existing illegal dumping sites in the canton.
#### Final disposal site Once collection is complete, the loaded collection truck corresponding to each route transports the waste to the Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Aczarri sanitary landfill, located in Aserrí and administered by the private entity Empresas Bertier EBI de Costa Rica.
According to a letter issued by EMPRESAS BERTHIER EBI DE COSTA RICA S.A., the El Huazo sanitary landfill has a useful life projected, as of 30 April 2023, of between 7.79 and 18.50 years.
Nevertheless, Costa Rica faces an imminent crisis in waste management, with only seven authorized sanitary landfills and the main sites in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), such as La Uruca and Aserrí, projected to approach capacity by 2026 (according to the Ministry of Health). 94% of waste ends up at these sites, accelerating their closure, forcing waste to be transported over long distances, and demonstrating the need for more efficient infrastructure and recycling policies.
Capacity constraints in the GAM: The landfills receiving most of the garbage in the GAM are saturated, with closures expected in the first half of 2026.
Waste transport: Due to the lack of capacity, waste is being moved to distant areas such as Limón or Puntarenas, increasing environmental and operating costs.
Shortage of sites: Only seven sanitary landfills remain in operation in the country.
Low recovery: Less than 7%-13% of generated waste is recycled or recovered, placing extreme pressure on existing landfills.
Main challenges:
Limited useful life: Key landfills are operating with very little time remaining, and some are projected to close within a few months.
Pollution: Leachate management (liquids from garbage) poses a risk to aquifers.
Municipal cost: The need to transport waste farther increases local governments’ expenses.
The Ministry of Health describes the situation as a “national risk,” requiring a rapid search for new waste-treatment solutions, energy generation from waste, and improved recycling to extend the useful life of existing sites.
#### Illegal dumps Unfortunately, in certain specific locations in the canton, it has become customary to dump waste illegally at unauthorized sites, also known as illegal dumps. For this reason, municipal machinery and staff patrol the canton daily and collect any kind of garbage left at these sites. This is done to prevent the sites from growing and creating unsanitary conditions in the communities.
During 2024, the Municipality collected 2.036 tons of waste from illegal dumps. Final disposal of this waste at the sanitary landfill cost ? 34.103.000. This pattern has been similar over the past five years, making this an ordinary task of the Environmental Management Directorate.
Table 18. Summary of solid waste collected from illegal dumps in Goicoechea in 2022
| Collection of waste from illegal dumps | Indicator | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Total tons | 2 036 | |
| Amount paid to the sanitary landfill | ? 34.103.000 |
### 6.6. Identify the sources of financial resources available in the canton for providing integrated waste management services, both from the Municipality and from other entities involved in waste management.
As established by national regulations, the Municipality must provide collection, treatment, and final disposal services for ordinary solid waste. It must also implement integrated waste management within its territory, establish incentives, implement alternative waste recovery initiatives, enforce sanctions, among other duties.
To carry out these responsibilities, the Municipality has an Environmental Management Directorate in charge of these programs and a separate budget for them.
The main source of financing for services provided to the population comes from the rates set for waste collection and the corresponding annual revenue.
The current rates for waste collection services in Goicoechea were published in Gaceta No. 84 of 9 May 2022. They are based on the linear meters of street frontage of each property, as follows:
Figure 10. Current rates for municipal services in Goicoechea, 2024.
According to the article of the MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS ON ORDINARY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF GOICOECHEA, published in Gaceta No. 85 of 5 May 2021: