The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Costa Rica’s banana sector of said that 99% of the fruit farms producing solid waste are handled properly and the industry intends to become carbon neutral by 2021.
The data comes from a report released today by the Environmental Commission Banana on the twentieth anniversary of banana environmental commitment where the industry promised to improve environmental protection.
The general manager of the National Banana Corporation (Corbana), Jorge Sauma, said that Costa Rica is promoting a “sustainable production model in banana producing to preserve the environment.”
“This has generated global competitiveness and recognition,” said Sauma.
The report notes that 99% of the banana plantations of Costa Rica comply with proper management of solid waste and 100% installed to retain solid waste traps, which prevents contaminated water sources.
The waste is reused as fertilizer for banana plantations, according to the report.
Other data shows that in 20 years we have recycled 57 million kilos of plastic used in production processes, has decreased by 55% the use of water, and that 100% of the staff is trained in pest management and good agricultural practices, while 94% for the safe use of pesticides.
According Corbana, these actions contribute to fulfill the commitment established in 2008 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021.
Banana production in Costa Rica is concentrated in the province of Limón (Caribbean), in a total of about 43,000 acres, and employs 40,000 people directly and 100,000 indirectly, accounting for 60% of the labor force area.
Each year, Costa Rica exports about $ 600 million in bananas, the EU and the U.S. as its main markets, but in recent years have increased shipments to countries like China, Russia and others in the Middle East.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
