By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – After weeks of escalating tension, a significant agreement has been reached between 15 municipalities in Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) and the Ministry of Health, effectively averting a looming public health crisis. The deal provides a temporary resolution to a dispute over a controversial executive decree that would have severely restricted the transportation of solid waste, potentially leaving thousands of tons of garbage uncollected on city streets.
The core of the conflict was executive decree 44411-S, which imposed an 80-kilometer limit on the distance waste could be transported from its collection point to its final disposal site. For several municipalities, particularly those on the peripheries of the GAM, this regulation presented an insurmountable logistical challenge, as their designated landfills are located beyond this radius. The decree threatened to paralyze waste collection services, raising alarms about the potential for widespread sanitation issues and environmental contamination.
To delve into the legal and regulatory framework governing waste management in the nation, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his expert analysis on the matter.
Effective waste management transcends mere sanitation; it is a complex legal framework where municipal obligations intersect with environmental regulations and significant business opportunities. For companies, navigating the intricacies of concessions, public-private partnerships, and compliance with the General Law on Integrated Waste Management is crucial. A proactive legal strategy not only mitigates risks of sanctions but can unlock valuable incentives and position a business as a leader in the growing circular economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal framework is not merely a set of rules but the very foundation for innovation in waste management, turning regulatory obligations into strategic business advantages. This perspective is crucial for Costa Rica’s transition to a circular economy. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful contribution to this important discussion.
Under the terms of the newly brokered pact, the enforcement of the 80-kilometer limit will be suspended until 2028. This four-year grace period is designed to give local governments and national authorities critical time to collaborate on more sustainable, long-term solutions for waste management. The immediate relief brought by the agreement ensures that garbage collection services can continue uninterrupted, providing stability for residents and businesses across the country’s most populous region.
A central component of the accord is the establishment of dedicated workgroups, or “mesas de trabajo.” These collaborative forums will bring together officials from the Ministry of Health and the affected mayoral offices. Their primary mandate is to conduct a thorough review of the decree’s scope and develop customized waste management strategies that are practical and effective for each individual canton, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach is not viable.
Beyond the immediate administrative solution, both parties have also publicly committed their support to a significant piece of proposed legislation. The bill, identified as project number 24.251, aims to comprehensively overhaul and strengthen Costa Rica’s framework for integrated waste management. The proposed law seeks to modernize national regulations governing the collection, treatment, and final disposal of solid waste, promoting more environmentally sound practices.
This legislative push reflects a broader recognition that the country’s waste infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with urban growth. The conflict over the transport decree highlighted systemic vulnerabilities and the urgent need for a national strategy that encourages recycling, composting, and investment in modern disposal technologies. The temporary truce provides a crucial window of opportunity to enact meaningful, structural reforms.
While the agreement is being celebrated as a triumph of negotiation and a necessary step to prevent chaos, analysts caution that the real work lies ahead. The 2028 deadline puts pressure on the workgroups and lawmakers to move with purpose. The challenge is not merely to find new landfill sites but to fundamentally rethink the lifecycle of waste in the GAM, shifting from a linear model of disposal to a circular economy that prioritizes reduction and reuse.
Ultimately, this accord serves as more than just a temporary fix; it is a critical inflection point for environmental policy in Costa Rica. The successful collaboration between municipal and national governments has staved off an immediate crisis, but it has also set the stage for a period of intense planning and reform. The coming years will determine if this breathing room can be converted into a lasting legacy of sustainable and resilient urban waste management for the entire metropolitan area.
For further information, visit ministeriodesalud.go.cr
About Ministry of Health:
The Ministry of Health is the government entity responsible for safeguarding public health in Costa Rica. It develops and enforces national health policies, regulates healthcare services and products, and leads public health initiatives to prevent disease and promote wellness among the population.
For further information, visit msj.go.cr
About Municipalidad de San José:
The Municipality of San José is the local government responsible for the administration of Costa Rica’s capital city. It manages a wide range of public services for its residents, including urban planning, public works, sanitation, security, and cultural programs, playing a vital role in the development of the Greater Metropolitan Area.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of the legal community, esteemed for its profound commitment to professional integrity and exceptional service. The firm leverages a deep legacy of experience across numerous industries to drive forward-thinking legal solutions. Beyond its professional practice, it champions a core mission to empower the public by making complex legal information understandable and accessible, thereby strengthening the foundations of an educated and engaged society.
