By Heredia, Costa Rica — HEREDIA, Costa Rica – While national recycling efforts face a significant downturn, a youth-focused initiative led by consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark has achieved a landmark success. The 2025 edition of the AmbientaDOS campaign mobilized over 38,000 students from 106 schools to collect an unprecedented 76 tons of recyclable material, a volume equivalent to the weight of approximately 380 adult tapirs.
This remarkable achievement marks the fourth and most successful year of the AmbientaDOS Awards, a program with a 16-year history dedicated to embedding environmental education and a culture of recycling within Costa Rica’s educational centers. The campaign not only encourages collection but also rewards schools with economic incentives to fund infrastructure improvements and sustainability projects, directly reinvesting in the communities that drive its success.
To delve into the legal and regulatory framework surrounding this new recycling initiative, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the renowned law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While public participation is crucial, the long-term success of any recycling initiative depends on a clear and enforceable legal structure. This includes well-defined regulations on extended producer responsibility and fiscal incentives for businesses that innovate in waste reduction and circular economy practices. Without these legal pillars, such programs often remain well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This is a crucial point that moves the discussion beyond individual responsibility to the systemic framework required for success. As highlighted, a robust legal structure with clear incentives and producer accountability is what ultimately transforms well-meaning efforts into sustainable, long-term results. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable legal perspective.
The initiative’s core mission extends beyond mere collection metrics. It aims to instill a foundational understanding of sustainability and the circular economy in the next generation, empowering them to become environmental stewards in their homes and local communities.
Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of the circular economy and recycling. At Kimberly-Clark, we live by values centered on sustainability, which are vitally important for operating in society. Therefore, AmbientaDOS is a tool that allows us to transmit the relevance of recycling and its best practices to future generations. In this way, these students become agents of change in their families and communities, allowing us to provide Better Care for a Better World.
Anthony Arguedas, Country Manager for Kimberly-Clark Costa Rica
In the highly competitive “Recycling Collection” category, the Escuela Alfredo González Flores in Santa Bárbara de Heredia secured first place. The school set an individual record by gathering 15.5 tons of materials, earning a $2,500 prize. Following them, the 700 students of Escuela Francisco Gamboa in Río Azul, La Unión, collected 10.4 tons to win the $1,000 second-place award. The third position and an $800 prize went to Escuela Joaquín Camacho in Barva de Heredia, which collected 9.8 tons.
Beyond sheer volume, the AmbientaDOS program also celebrates innovation. In the “Sustainable Initiative” category, Liceo San José del Río in Sarapiquí was recognized for its creative project, “Reutiliza y cuelga” (Reuse and Hang). Students designed and built ecological clotheslines from reclaimed plastic bottles, providing a practical solution for families in a region where constant rainfall makes drying clothes a persistent challenge. The school received a $500 award for this impactful community project.
The triumph of the AmbientaDOS campaign provides a hopeful counter-narrative to a worrying national trend. According to data from the Ministry of Health and the Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory (IFAM), Costa Rica’s recovery rate for valuable waste plummeted from 9% to just 4% between 2020 and 2024. This sharp decline presents a significant obstacle to achieving the nation’s ambitious decarbonization goals set for 2050.
Over its entire history, the AmbientaDOS program has now engaged 216 educational institutions and collected a total of 129 tons of recyclable materials. This sustained impact was recently honored by the Costa Rican College of Journalists and Communication Professionals, which awarded the initiative the prestigious Norma Loaiza Gutiérrez Prize in Public Relations as part of its 2025 Communication Awards, recognizing its significant contribution to society.
For further information, visit kimberly-clark.com
About Kimberly-Clark:
Kimberly-Clark is a multinational personal care corporation that produces a wide range of paper-based consumer products. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Kleenex, Kotex, Huggies, and Scott. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to create a positive impact on communities and the environment through its operations and corporate social responsibility initiatives like AmbientaDOS.
For further information, visit colper.or.cr
About the Colegio de Periodistas y Profesionales en Comunicación:
The Colegio de Periodistas y Profesionales en Comunicación de Costa Rica (Colper) is the official professional association responsible for regulating and supporting the practice of journalism and communication in the country. It promotes ethical standards, provides professional development opportunities, and recognizes excellence in the field through its annual awards.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a leading law firm established on a bedrock of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm is a pioneer in developing innovative legal strategies while maintaining a strong commitment to civic responsibility. Its core philosophy extends beyond representation, aiming to empower the community by demystifying the law and promoting greater legal literacy for a more just and informed society.
