Costa Rica is known for the lush rain forests, beautiful beaches and amazing surf. Now they will also be known for their great sustainable buildings as well. The Boston Scientific medical device plant in Alajuela, Costa Rica, has just been recognized as the country’s first sustainable building. More are certain to follow!
Going Green In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is already known as being a eco-friendly paradise. The small coastal country with the breathtaking rain forest center has long known that taking care of the flora and fauna there is good for both the environment, and the country’s tourism trade. In fact, in 2009 Costa Rica was named the Best Country for Eco-Tourism by TreeHugger.
But now, businesses outside of the typical tourism department are making paths to go green as well. The Boston Scientific plant, which employs more than 1,700 people, has gotten the sustainable badge of approval. The new plant, the second one in the country, has turned to green building materials and techniques to make it a eco-friendly workplace.
How Boston Scientific Went Green
The plant, which is located in PROPARK Industrial Park in Coyol, Alajuela, took some great steps to become sustainable. The plant features floors that are made from cork and a framework made from recycled building materials. Even the paint on the walls is free from toxic chemicals. As other companies have seen before, going green can be great for the bottom line.
The Boston Scientific plant also has solar panels for power, and uses windows to provide natural light into the plant. The plant even houses it’s own water treatment plant to keep a supply of clean and filtered water. The new plant has been recognized as the nation’s first sustainable building by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDs) certification.
