Competitiveness and the Environment

Project description

Title: Competitiveness and the Environment
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ
Country: Costa Rica
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Planning and Economic Policy
Overall term: 2005 to 2012

Context

In Costa Rica, almost a third of waste was being disposed of in an uncontrolled manner, and the recovery rate for recycled materials was less than 10 %. Several obstacles prevented the waste management system from being reorganised:

  • A lack of cooperation and communication between administrative levels (central government and local authorities) and between sectors (local government, the private sector, civil society)
  • Deficiencies in the legal framework
  • Shortfalls in the performance capacities, resources and expertise at the local authorities responsible for waste management

Objective

Waste management in municipalities and in the private sector is improved in selected regions of Costa Rica.

Approach

The Competitiveness and the Environment programme promotes integrated waste management in Costa Rica. The basis for programme management is an inter-institutional platform, involving five partner organisations: the health, environment and planning ministries and the Instituto de Fomento y Asesoria Municipal (Institute for Municipal Development and Assessment – IFAM) and the Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (CICR – the national chamber of industry and commerce).

The programme consists of four components:

  • Cooperation, communication and dialogue
    Targeted and practice-oriented dialogue between the multitude of actors involved is strengthened.
  • Strategies, plans and legal framework
    The programme supports national waste management planning and the reorganisation of the legal framework, for instance using a national waste management plan and new waste management legislation.
  • Waste management at municipal level
    The capacities of local authorities for implementing integrated waste management have been built, for example, through planning and implementing municipal waste management plans.
  • Competitiveness and environmentally sound practices in the private sector
    Environmentally sustainable production methods and recycling measures are fostered together with the private sector.

Results achieved so far

  • Strategy development and inter-institutional coordination
    The national waste management plan (PRESOL), which was adopted in July 2009, runs until 2015. A coordination mechanism (MECIP) was enacted by decree and formalises inter-institutional cooperation under the programme. PRESOL incorporates strategic actions that are currently being carried out in accordance with a list of priorities drawn up as part of the MECIP.
  • Legal framework
    A new law for integrated waste management was passed in May 2010. At present, work is continuing on subordinate guidelines. A number of implementation guidelines (technical standards) have so far been passed. These cover, for instance, operating recycling centres, recycling electronic waste and handling scrap tyres, medicines and household waste. It is still too early to fully gauge the impact of the law. It should however be noted that its legal provisions are being implemented.
  • Municipal waste management
    Municipal waste management plans were originally introduced in 13 pilot local authorities and are now being implemented nationwide. So far, one quarter of the 22 local authorities in Costa Rica have developed these plans and 15 have already implemented them. Activity areas include, for example, constructing recycling centres or reorganising pricing systems. Initiatives for setting up municipal waste disposal associations are also underway. As part of this process, the programme provides technical support to local authorities and develops their organisational capacities. Lessons learnt include effectively building performance capacities, resources and competences (capacity development) in the long term.
  • Private sector
    The Costa Rican Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CICR) and the Mexican Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CANACINTRA) have jointly adopted a regional environmental strategy and each set up an advisory centre for clean production and climate change mitigation in the first half of 2010. According to the chambers of industry, demand for advisory services is developing positively. The programme also supports trade fairs, congresses and business forums. This boosts investment in environmentally friendly technology. Furthermore, the programme has contributed to the dynamic development of the recycling sector. Major investment can be seen here too, for example, the most important waste paper recycling company has doubled its capacity and significant funding has been invested in recycling PET plastic.

      Further information


      Contact


      Mr Wilfried Hülstrunk
      Email: wilfried.huelstrunk@giz.de