Costa Rican officials approved a law that will prohibit the import, marketing, and distribution of Styrofoam (polystyrene) containers. The law will go into effect 24 months after news of it passing is disseminated in La Gaceta, the government newsletter. Any companies that currently rely on Styrofoam will have support from the government in the transition to more environmentally friendly containers before the law comes into effect.
Paola Vega, PAC legislator, said in a statement:
This initiative is a giant step for public health, the environment and the economy of the country because Styrofoam generates great pollution.
Those who break the law will be subject to a fine ranging from ¢446,200 to ¢4.46 million colones ($767 to $7669). There will be exceptions: Polystyrene for packaging of electrical appliances, and containers of industrial and construction uses. The Ministry of Health will have the responsibility of regulating the law and applying the respective sanctions to businesses in violation.
Now, the approved bill must be signed by the president of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado, before being sent to the national printer for publication in La Gaceta, at which point the exact date of the ban will be confirmed.
This news only adds to the tiny Central American country’s growing achievements towards hitting climate goals. Previously we reported on how Costa Rica has more than doubled its rainforests over the last few decades. Such a marvelous milestone was achieved by restricting logging permits and created a forestry commission to safeguard the forests. And before that, we reported on how the nation has ambitious plans to be carbon and plastic free by 2021! It has managed to generate 95% of all the country’s electricity needs from renewable power sources (like hydro, wind, and solar) for the past four years as part of those plans, and much more.
All of this accumulating good news reflects breakthroughs for Costa Rica as it continues to try to lead the way on environmentally-friendly policy initiatives. If more countries were to take on Costa Rica’s enthusiasm for being climate-conscious, we would surely meet those marks set by the Paris Agreement to avoid global warming!
If all of this isn’t inspiring enough, watch this video:
