We just watched a very shocking, and frightening, clip on YouTube entitled “The Garbage Patch”, which showcases a giant mound of plastic twice the size of the state of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and San Francisco.  Watch this video clip and you too will realize that our current consumption and disposal patterns of plastic materials need to change.  More information and educational materials can be found at the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.

When on vacation in Costa Rica, or at home, the following tips will help you reduce your plastic consumption and disposal.

Use a Reusable Non-Plastic Water Bottle

According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, the number of water bottles sold in 1997 (3.3 billion) has jumped to a whopping 15.5 billion in 2002.  Opt for refillable water bottles and inspire others to do so as well. 

Refuse Disposable Plastic Grocery Bags

Plastic bags make up a large portion of trash that cannot be recycled. They are strewn along the beaches and roads of Costa Rica and wind up piled up in open-air botaderos (dumps) hidden away in the country side.  The United States throws away some 100 billion plastic bags per year (only 0.6 of which are recycled).  To reduce your plastic bag consumption, ask your local supermarket to start offering biodegradable plastic bags or use a reusable cloth bag.  Harmony’s bookshop, La Tiendita recycles old hotel linens into cloth shopping bags.

Become an expert recycler and find out what plastics can, and cannot, be recycled.  Curious about what kind of plastics we recycle at the Harmony Hotel?  Take advantage of our free sustainability tour offered by our onsite Sustainability Coordinator.  See reception for details.