Costa Rica

Challenges and Opportunities

In 2022, Costa Rica generated an estimated 232,000 tons of plastic waste—an average of 46 kg per person. 

Alarmingly, around 20% of this waste was mismanaged, ending up in rivers, oceans, soils, or being openly burned.

This mismanagement threatens Costa Rica’s exceptional biodiversity—home to 6% of the planet’s species—and jeopardizes key economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.

Vulnerable communities are particularly affected, facing disproportionate exposure to the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, Costa Rica has taken important legislative and regulatory steps, including:

  • A ban on single-use plastics in areas managed by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)
  • Law 9786, declaring the reduction of single-use plastic pollution a matter of public interest
  • The National Plan for the Sustainable Management of Single-Use Plastics, targeting 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastics by 2030
  • Law 8839 on Integrated Solid Waste Management

Despite this progress, plastic waste remains a pressing national challenge. 

Urgent, systemic, and inclusive solutions are needed to protect people, nature, and Costa Rica’s sustainable future.

Costa Rica National Plastic Action Partnership

To accelerate action on plastic pollution, the Government of Costa Rica joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) in September 2023 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Economic Forum. 

Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the Ministry of Health, this commitment led to the establishment of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Costa Rica—a multistakeholder platform implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

NPAP Costa Rica brings together government, business, civil society, academia and the informal sector to align priorities, strengthen collaboration and accelerate solutions that tackle plastic pollution while supporting a just transition to a circular economy for plastics.

Through this collaborative approach, NPAP Costa Rica aims to:

  • Advance innovation across the plastics value chain
  • Strengthen cross-sector collaboration to drive systemic change
  • Promote sustainable behaviours that support the transition to a circular economy

A Multistakeholder Approach in Action

NPAP Costa Rica is guided by a multistakeholder Steering Committee that brings together representatives from across the plastics value chain to provide strategic direction and support collaborative decision-making. 

The Committee includes:

 Government
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship 
  • Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) 
  • Ministry of Health
Private Sector
  • Chamber of Commerce 
  • Costa Rican Chamber of Industries 
  • Costa Rican Chamber of the Food Industry 
  • Business Alliance for Development (AED)
Academia
  • National University of Costa Rica 
  • National Technical University 
  • University of Costa Rica
Civil Society / NGOs
  • ALIARSE Foundation 
  • Central American Association for Economy, Health, and Environment (ACEPESA)

The Costa Rica National Plastic Action Roadmap

Developed through close collaboration with government, industry, recyclers, academia, and civil society, the Costa Rica National Plastic Action Roadmap provides a comprehensive look at the country’s plastics ecosystem. 

It begins with a baseline analysis of current plastic consumption and waste management, offering a clear picture of today’s practices.

This roadmap serves as a strategic tool to support evidence-based policymaking and accelerate Costa Rica’s transition toward a more sustainable, circular economy.

Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity in Costa Rica: Pathways for Environmental and Economic Resilience

This assessment identifies where plastic pollution poses the greatest risks to Costa Rica’s biodiversity, examines the systemic drivers behind the challenge, and sets out practical, evidence-based recommendations to reduce plastic pollution, halt biodiversity loss and strengthen environmental and economic resilience through circular economy solutions.

Full Report

📑English version
📑Spanish version

Executive Summary

📑Spanish version

Costa Rica Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Analysis

This report explores gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) in the Costa Rica's plastics value chain, showing how plastic pollution and gaps in waste management disproportionately affect marginalized groups. 

NPAP Costa Rica Secretariat

The NPAP Costa Rica Secretariat is hosted by the UNDP Costa Rica, in partnership with the Global Plastic Action Partnership of the World Economic Forum.

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