Another objectionable, but often overlooked, example of single-use plastics are the stir sticks used for coffee and tea. By replacing these with wooden sticks, Reserva Conchal has not only eliminated 12,000 plastic stir sticks per month, but also adopted a green alternative to discarding the wood sticks as trash. Now a component of the extensive in-house waste management system (highlighted in a May 2019 Howler article), these wood sticks are composted with other soil-enhancing ingredients for use throughout the property. Reserva Conchal also recently implemented its own campaign inviting guests in the Beach Club and both hotels to “refuse the use of straws” with their beverages. Not only has there been a drastic decrease in straw consumption — from 40,000 to 14,400 straws per month — but all of the straws currently used are either metal or biodegradable.
Small changes, big gains
Even the seemingly small changes in singleuse plastics consumption at Reserva Conchal have made a huge difference to
environmental education. Employees and residents now go home and use their reusable bottles and their own containers for take-out food. Guests return home with a new understanding of the value of saying, “No straw, please.” Reserva Conchal’s waste center is seeing a huge decrease in the amount of nonbiodegradable plastic that staff members have to package up for landfill.
The future is ours
As more promising examples like this emerge for us to follow, it becomes easier to make a difference and see results sooner. With each initiative — from the cantons of Guanacaste collectively to the individual guest at Reserva Conchal — we all have a choice and an opportunity. The decision to decrease the amount of plastic on earth and in our waterways lies on each of us, whether we are at home, running a business or visiting a new place. To actively choose an alternative to single-use plastic helps our earth to become cleaner and safer for us all. Will you join the initiative and refuse that straw or bring your own bags or takeaway containers?
Inspiring a better way of living www.reservaconchal.com
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