Improper waste management in squatter communities in Costa Rica poses health risks to humans and degrades the environment. We worked with Un Techo Para Mi País to address the need for improved waste management in these communities. Using data on waste practices from site assessments, survey analysis, and personal communications, we developed a manual on feasible waste management options. For solid waste, a combination of composting, recycling, and municipal collection reduces waste volume at a reasonable cost. For human waste, composting latrines are low cost, use minimal space, and produce a usable product. We hope that these waste management strategies will improve living conditions in squatter communities in Costa Rica and throughout Latin America.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Behanzin, Aaron Virgile
• Ouellette, Mackenzie Leigh
• Concannon, Caroline T.
• Doane, Olivia Jordan

Subject

• Environment
• Community
• Health
• Sustainability
• Well-Being

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121511-114427

Stichwort

• Recycling (Waste, etc.)
• Refuse and refuse disposal
• Sewage disposal
• Sewage--Purification

Advisor

• Plummer, Jeanine D.
• Dempsey, James

Year

• 2011

Center

• San Jose, Costa Rica Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• Un Techo Para Mi País

Date created

• 2011-12-15

Ort

• San José

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright