Going Green, Recycling in Atenas Costa Rica

By Audrey Neidlinger and Terry Mills

Everyone has heard how beautiful it is in Costa Rica. While living or
visiting here, you can actually do some things to contribute to its
never ending beauty and Recycling is among the easiest.

Coming from a suburban town in the US, recycling was definitely
available… by car, but it took about 20-30 minutes to get there. If
you wanted curbside pickup in my neighborhood you had to pay $40 a
month. Here in Atenas, Costa Rica at The Aprodisa Recycling Center,
recycling could not be easier. There are small bins in the park in the
center of town that allow you to recycle plastic, paper and aluminum.
If you have more than a few items, you just need to walk a few blocks
further down the road to the recycling center where they can assist
you with just about anything else. If you are used to curbside pick up
they also provide something almost like that. In each neighborhood
they have a pickup route on certain days of the week, so you don’t
really even have to leave your cozy home to recycle!

This recycling center which has been in operation for 19 years,
provides a valuable service in keeping the outlying areas clean and
neat and keeping landfills from filling up. They accept all metals,
glass, plastic, paper and even electronics.

Another valuable service this center provides is for the community
itself. They make it their goal to employ persons with disabilities.
These employees are able to enjoy gainful employment while working in
a positive and up building atmosphere.

If you are like us and enjoy taking your reusable bags to the grocery
stores, saving plastic and recycling your household garbage things can
remain exactly the same when you come to Costa Rica.

The Aprodisa Recycling Center is having to move from their current
location due to new zoning regulations. They are currently looking for
a new location and need our help. Our next article will explain more
about what they do, why they need our help and what we all can do to
keep our recycling center running… Stay tuned!