With more than 185 tons of plastic collected, 477 meters of plastic wood walkways built, the creation of 14 amphibious chairs and the opening of 13 accessible beaches, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network and its DONATAPA project carry the banner of Costa Rica and They are shown as a global success story at the Pacific Leaders Summit "Rapa Nui 2024", scheduled for April 3 to 5 on the island of Rapa Nui, Chile.
This meeting brings together prominent leaders from islands and coastal territories of the Pacific Ocean, as well as government representatives, academia, the private sector and civil society, with the purpose of addressing the problem of plastic and microplastic pollution in the oceans.
According to data from the United Nations (UN), more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year, of which half corresponds to single-use plastics, with less than 10% recycled. This situation causes between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic to end up annually in lakes, rivers and seas.
In response to this global challenge, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network presents its outstanding project "DONATAPA" as an exemplary model that promotes the collection, recycling and circular economy of plastic for the sake of planetary and human well-being since its foundation, 5 years ago.
“DONATAPA” stands out for its permanent awareness, sensitization and training campaign, promoting the correct collection and transformation of plastic waste towards the creation of innovative products such as retractable walkways, amphibious chairs and garbage cans, among others.
Alberto López, general manager of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), celebrated the opportunity for the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network to represent the country in this crucial event. "We applaud this distinction of inviting the Network to participate in this program, which recognizes Costa Rica's outstanding track record in terms of sustainability and protection of tourist resources, especially natural ones," said López.
Global success story in the transformation of plastic
The director of the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network, Stephanie Sheehy, will present the project this Thursday, April 4, highlighting it as an example of execution and action to promote the connection of society with the environment. In addition, a collaboration agreement will be formalized between the organization and the Island of Rapa Nui to implement "DONATAPA" in said locality, which will imply its replication, the execution of policy development, search for funds and creation of joint actions, among other initiatives.
“We are showing that, through inclusion, accessibility and the transformation of plastic with the DONATAPA project we can make the change. We are proud and committed to be part of a summit of world leaders in which we will provide solutions to reduce plastics in the oceans,” said Sheehy.
In addition, the Network will seek to establish strategic alliances with other organizations present at the Summit to expand and enhance its actions, with the aim of positioning Costa Rica as a leading destination in sustainability in all its areas.
The Network's participation in the discussions on the Global Treaty on the use of plastics, agreed by Member States in 2022, will be a relevant point on the agenda, seeking to end plastic pollution globally and protect marine life. , the environment and human health. During the summit, various topics related to pollution in the Pacific Ocean, strategies for the prevention and reduction of plastics, legal aspects and governance for ocean protection, among others, will be addressed.
Effects of plastic pollution
The United Nations Environment Program estimates that, if current trends continue, plastic production could account for 19% of total greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Furthermore, plastic pollution seriously affects marine and human life, which underlines the urgency of addressing this problem in a global and coordinated manner.
Costa Rica, through its National Marine Waste Plan 2021-2030, is committed to reducing the amount of land waste that reaches the sea, including plastics, in collaboration with various organizations and communities. With this participation, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network reaffirms its commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices in the tourism sector, thus contributing to the well-being of present and future generations.
At the summit, the RED will be accompanied by leaders such as representatives of the Government of Chile, as well as the United Nations Organization, delegations from the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, French Polynesia, China and France. Joining the list are the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, the Animal Aid Foundation (FIAA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Dutch Foundation “The Ocean Cleanup”, the “The Blue Nature Alliance” organization, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, “The Big Oceant” Foundation, among others.