Costa Rica bans single-use plastic

In an attempt to alleviate the problem of plastics polluting the oceans and the environment, Costa Rica has decided to ban all single-use plastic products by 2021. Under the ban water bottles, lids, drinking straws, eating utensils and a myriad other products would be prohibited. Costa Rica’s Ministries of Health and Environment are calling for the participation of all sectors – public and private – to commit to actions to replace single-use plastic through municipal incentives, guidelines for suppliers, research and strategic initiatives. Costa Rica is the Central American leader in protecting the environment. In addition to this ban, they also have plans to be carbon-neutral by 2021, and are actively working to restore their forests and protect wildlife.