1. Coastal Tourism Communities and the Role of
Social Capital in Waste Management by Gabriel Nunez - Fall 2015
17
4 5
1
23
0
5
10
15
20
25
Environment Cleanliness
of Beaches
Health of
People in
the Future
Economic
Benefits
Combination
NumberofRespondents
Motivation for Recycling
Social Capital is a concept of sustainable development that refers to the network of
common values and a capacity for cooperation in the community (OECD 2001)1. This
study is devoted to research on the motivation of community residents to recycle and
how it relates to the conditions of social capital in the coastal town of Santa Teresa.
Because of the way tourism is rapidly expanding development in the town, there is an
imperative for waste management systems to adapt to the increase in waste and
resource use.
Research was conducted in alliance with the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper (NPW)
organization in the town of Santa Teresa. Over six days residents were surveyed and
interviewed. Two days were dedicated to assisting the NPW waste management
project manager José Pablo Delgado with supervising the monthly recycling program
and participating residents were surveyed.
Background and Methods
Challenge Count Percent
Motivation 11
0.239130
44
Education 12
0.26086
957
Material
Value 4
0.08695
652
Volume 4
0.08695
652
Sorting 2
0.04347
826
Storage 4
0.08695
652
Time 6
0.130434
78
Transport 8
0.173913
04
Lack of
pickup 4
0.08695
652
Lack of
program 11
0.239130
44
Government
Inaction 1
0.021739
13
Table 1: The number and percentage of responses
indicating one of eleven different challenges to participation in
recycling identified by residents in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
(Fall 2015)
Figure 1. The number of positive responses to each of the four motives presented in the survey for
participation in recycling,and responses that indicated a combination of two or more of these
options. (Fall 2015).
• Demographic data reported twenty different nationalities. A total of 48% of respondents were
Costa Rican, with the other 52% of respondents being residents of other nationalities.
• Motivation results indicated multiple motives leading for residents that recycle, and protection of
the environment as the second highest motivation. (Graph 1)
• Residents identified factors they understood as challenges to participation in recycling. The
number one item was the lack of education that the public has regarding recycling and knowledge
about the monthly recycling Program from the NPW (Table 1).
Santa Teresa experiences the characteristics of low social capital attributed to the social climate that
involves people blaming people of differing nationalities for waste issues rather than being engaged in
recycling. Responses for the question on motivation in (Graph 1) indicate that those who do recycle
recognize many reasons why recycling can benefit the community. Factors identified by residents as
the strongest challenges to involvement in recycling were lack of education, overall organization of
the community recycling program, and lack of motivation from people.
Results and Discussion
Building Social Capital
1. Investment in community programs that foster
education and recreation can help build connections
between people.
2. More waste management workers from Santa Teresa
will result in workers with investment in the well-being
of the community and thus diligence on the job.
Community members may communicate their needs and
suggestions more easily as well.
3. Partnering Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper
organization with community programs or education
programs as a platform to provide education on
recycling.
Preparation for further Development
1. Environmental Impact assessment as a means to
prepare community for upcoming aqueduct project.
2. Work on incentivizing businesses to be involved in the
community recycling program.
Conclusions
1.OECD. 2001. Policies to Enhance Sustainable Development. OECD Publications. France.