Costa Rica, like all Latin American countries, faced a strong economic recession from the early 80s onward. The state expenditure regarding basic services was consequently cut down, leading to a deterioration of the latter, in particular of those connected with the environment (wastewater treatment, drinking water service, waste collection…).

Henceforth, the 1996 Act attempts at remediating this situation and at emphasising the citizen’s role in decision-making or actions related to the environment. Indeed, in response to the State’s incapacity, in particular regarding waste management, the civil society mobilises. This mobilisation is easy to explain: tourism has become a pillar of the country’s economy and a large part of the population, living entirely on tourism, cannot afford to let the natural environment deteriorate.

As a result of a research carried out in several Latin American countries in 1996 on the role of "small an micro-enterprises in solid waste management"¹, waste collectors and waste pickers became aware of their common problems and needs, and expressed their willingness to work together. After reflecting for two months on their identity, on the possible structure in which they could unite and on the goals this structure would set itself, the National Chamber of Contractors for Waste Collection, Picking and Recycling of Costa Rica, or CANARDES, was constituted (August 1996). The main actors of this action were the contractors themselves, supported by NGOs and local economic groups such as other Chambers. The idea was to strengthen the Chamber’s position as an agent of environmental protection and promotion, as well as to improve the commercial activity of its members.

The Chamber’s first success was to become a full actor of the sector, with a capacity to negotiate, especially with large enterprises and municipalities, although very few among the latter responded favourably.

Furthermore, the Chamber successfully demonstrated its independence by achieving self-management and ensuring its own viability. Training programmes were organised with the support of NGOs and the ACEPESA, regarding business management, accountancy, client service, etc. These progresses gave some enterprises the opportunity to develop their commercial activity.

Besides, the creation of CANARDES coincides with the need for the State to have a strong partner in order to launch projects for the improvement of waste picking.

In economic terms, the creation of the Chamber has been having a very strong impact, socially, numerous direct and indirect jobs being created, and environmentally, with a substantial increase of collected quantities and positive consequences on pollution and protection of natural resources. However, administrative slowness, organisational aspects, as well as the lack ok new members have prevented the complete fulfilment of CANARDES’s objectives.

Still CANARDES has managed to introduce some important innovations. On the social side, it has provided operators of the sector with better recognition of their activities. On the technological side, it has encouraged a general improvement of the existing equipment. On the institutional side, it took part in public as well as private national programmes.

The following study describes with more detail this original initiative that integrates different activities related to the cycle of waste into a single entity. The contribution of this experience also lies in the fact that it participates in sustainable development through enhancing the sector’s image, stimulating dynamic involvement of contractors and improving the living conditions of the workers and their families.