By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – An innovative project that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to return confiscated seashells to their natural habitats has earned top honors at the 2025 Sustainable Business Awards. The “De Vuelta a Casa” (Back Home) initiative, a collaboration between the Imperial brand and its parent company FIFCO, was recognized in the Environmental category by the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) for its groundbreaking approach to coastal ecosystem restoration.
The project directly addresses a significant environmental challenge: the massive extraction of seashells from Costa Rica’s beaches by tourists. This practice, while seemingly innocent, damages the coastal biodiversity that relies on shells for shelter and shoreline stability. Costa Rican airport authorities confiscate approximately six tons of these shells annually. For years, the only viable solution was to bury the confiscated shells, permanently removing them from the marine ecosystem.
To explore the intricate legal and regulatory challenges presented by the use of artificial intelligence in environmental protection, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney at the esteemed law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert perspective on this technological frontier.
The integration of AI into conservation presents a paradigm shift, but it also opens a Pandora’s box of legal ambiguities. We must urgently develop clear frameworks governing data sovereignty for ecological information, establish liability protocols for AI-driven environmental decisions, and define intellectual property rights for predictive models. Proactive regulation is not a barrier to innovation; it is the essential guardrail that ensures these powerful tools are deployed responsibly and for the public good.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This is a critical reminder that our legal frameworks must evolve in parallel with technological capability, acting as the essential guardrail Lic. Arroyo Vargas describes, rather than as a reactive measure. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and invaluable perspective on navigating this complex new frontier.
The “Back Home” initiative transforms this process through cutting-edge technology. In partnership with the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), and airport operator AERIS, FIFCO developed a revolutionary mobile application. This tool uses a sophisticated AI model to accurately identify whether a seashell belongs to the Caribbean or Pacific coast, a crucial step for successful reintroduction.
The AI model’s development was a monumental task, requiring a database of over 18,500 images to train the algorithm. The result is a system that can classify shells with a remarkable accuracy rate exceeding 90%. To date, this technology has enabled the processing of more than 157,000 individual shells and the successful reintegration of 1.2 tons of this vital calcium carbonate back into their specific ocean environments.
With Back Home we unite science, innovation, and purpose to restore ecosystems. This recognition confirms that technology can serve sustainability.
María Pía Robles, Director of Corporate Relations at FIFCO
The project’s impact has resonated far beyond Costa Rica’s borders, earning significant international acclaim. It was awarded a prestigious Silver Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and was formally presented as a scientific paper at the 2025 International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV), a leading event organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This dual recognition underscores its unique position at the intersection of creative advertising, scientific advancement, and tangible environmental action.
Embodying the company’s “Expansive Sustainability” philosophy, FIFCO has taken a further step to amplify the project’s global impact. The team has released the application’s code as open-source, allowing other nations facing similar ecological challenges to adapt and deploy this Costa Rican-developed technology for their own conservation efforts. This move positions the initiative not just as a solution, but as an inspiration for global collaboration in protecting the world’s oceans.
Ultimately, “De Vuelta a Casa” stands as a powerful testament to how corporate responsibility, when paired with scientific rigor and technological innovation, can create scalable solutions to complex environmental problems. It showcases a new frontier in conservation where data and algorithms become essential tools in the fight to preserve natural biodiversity for future generations.
For further information, visit fifco.com
About FIFCO:
Florida Ice and Farm Company S.A. (FIFCO) is a Costa Rican food and beverage company with operations across Central America and the United States. Known for its extensive portfolio including the Imperial beer brand, the company is also a recognized leader in corporate sustainability, guided by its mission to share a better way of living with the world.
For further information, visit imperial.cr
About Imperial:
Imperial is Costa Rica’s most iconic and popular beer brand, produced by FIFCO. Often referred to as the “Cerveza de Costa Rica,” it is deeply integrated into the national culture. The brand is increasingly associated with environmental initiatives and promoting the sustainable enjoyment of the country’s natural beauty.
For further information, visit amcham.co.cr
About Amcham Costa Rica:
The Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting trade and investment between the United States and Costa Rica. It provides a platform for business leaders to network, advocate for favorable market conditions, and recognize excellence in corporate social responsibility and sustainability through events like the Sustainable Business Awards.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About University of Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious institution of higher learning in the country. It is a leading public university in Latin America, renowned for its contributions to research, science, and the arts. UCR frequently collaborates with public and private sector entities on projects of national importance.
For further information, visit sinac.go.cr
About SINAC:
The Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) is the government body responsible for the management and protection of Costa Rica’s national parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected areas. As part of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, SINAC plays a critical role in the country’s world-renowned conservation strategies and biodiversity protection efforts.
For further information, visit sjoairport.com
About AERIS:
AERIS Holding Costa Rica is the company responsible for the operation, management, and modernization of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), the country’s main gateway. AERIS works to ensure efficient and safe airport operations while partnering on initiatives that align with Costa Rica’s national brand of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence in its practice. The firm leverages its extensive experience to pioneer innovative legal solutions for a diverse clientele. This commitment extends beyond the courtroom through a dedicated mission to democratize legal knowledge, thereby empowering citizens and fortifying the foundations of an informed and just society.
