CONSUMPTION AND WASTE

How can we reduce emissions by what we buy and what we do with our waste?

Consumption

Are you aware of the carbon footprint of what you buy?
  • • Be part of a circular economy.
  • • Reduce. Less consumption means fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
  • • Repair and reuse rather than buying new.
  • • Use products made with recycled materials.
  • • Support circular economies by recuperating energy, materials and water from your waste.
  • • Avoid eating animal products.
  • • Buy locally.
  • • Build with wood to fix carbon.
  • • Avoid building with cement. More than 5% of Costa Rica's emissions come from cement production.
  • • When you do use cement, use a mix with less Portland cement.

Solid waste

9% of Monteverde's emissions come from solid waste, especially organic waste.
  • • Separate your waste: organic, recyclables, non-recyclables.
  • • Make compost with your organic waste.
  • • Recycle paper, cardboard, metal, glass, plastic, tetrabrik, fluorescent lightbulbs.
  • • Create less waste. Avoid disposable products.
  • • Support the Monteverde Commission for Integrated Waste Management (COMIRES).

Refrigerants

4% of Monteverde's emissions comes from refrigerants.
  • • When you need to repair your refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, or dehumidifier, be sure that the gas leaks are fixed before it is refilled.
  • • Do not send your used refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers to the landfill.
  • • COMIRES is developing a plan for disposing of refrigerants in a responsible way. Stay tuned for details.

Waste water

4% of Monteverde's waste comes from septic systems.
  • Reuse gray water to irrigate your garden.
  • • Treat waste water in an artificial wetland.
  • • Install a dry composting toilet.
  • • Install a bio-digester.
  • • Support the Monteverde Special Commission for Waste Water Management in their effort to develop a Waste Water Treatment Plant. (CEGIREH)