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Where and when

The right place. The right timeline.

A compact plant, in an industrial zone, with every legal permit, built on a short timeline because its design is already proven.

  • Cartagofirst plant · the second, in Alajuela
  • 10+ haof land, at minimum
  • 6 monthstarget to complete studies and permits*
  • 18–22months of construction after permits*

* Estimated timeline, subject to SETENA and municipal review times.

Where

Cartago first. Then Alajuela.

Orchidean One will be built in Cartago, the province that lost its Los Pinos landfill in 2023 and now hauls its trash far away. A second plant is planned in Alajuela.1

The exact site is chosen through technical studies and public consultation. These are the six rules, and they’re non-negotiable:

Industrial zone

On industrial or compatible land under the canton’s zoning plan.

Away from homes

With a green buffer strip between the plant and any housing.

Outside protected areas

Away from parks, refuges, wetlands and aquifer recharge zones.

Near highways

Direct access to main roads, so trucks don’t cross neighborhoods.

Near the power grid

Close to a substation, to deliver power without major works.

Stable ground

With favorable geological and seismic studies, as the Seismic Code requires.

When

From idea to power, step by step.

Every step follows Costa Rican law: SETENA for the environment and the municipality for land use.2

  1. Underway

    1. Studies and dialogue

    A study of the country’s actual waste is under way. The project has been presented to municipalities and the Ministry of Health, and several municipalities have signed letters of interest.

  2. Target: 6 months (phases 1–3)

    2. Environmental review (SETENA)

    D1 form and Environmental Impact Study, with public participation, through to environmental approval.

  3. Target: 6 months (phases 1–3)

    3. Municipal permits and grid connection

    Land-use permit, building permits and grid connection agreement.

  4. 18–22 months

    4. Construction

    Civil works and equipment manufacturing in parallel. Priority for local workers.

  5. Phase 5

    5. Operation

    The plant takes trash, delivers electricity and publishes its emissions on this site and on public screens.

Why it’s fast

Fast isn’t rushed. It’s proven.

Every permit is met. What shortens the timeline is that the technology doesn’t need inventing.

  • Proven design The engineering already works in hundreds of plants. It’s adapted, not invented.
  • Work in parallel Equipment is manufactured while civil works are under way. That saves months.
  • Modular construction Many components arrive ready to assemble on site.
  • One site One compact plant instead of hunting for a new landfill every few years.

By the book.

Law 8839 recognizes energy recovery from waste, and Decree 39136 has regulated its emissions since 2015.34

Information for municipalities

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One informed person is worth a thousand rumors. Send this link to your family, your neighborhood group or your local council.

Sources

  1. Semanario Universidad. “Relleno sanitario de El Huazo recibe más basura de la GAM tras cierre de Los Pinos”.
  2. Decreto 31849-MINAE-S-MOPT-MAG-MEIC. Reglamento General sobre los Procedimientos de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental (SETENA).
  3. Ley 8839, Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos (2010), artículo 4: jerarquía de gestión.
  4. Decreto 39136-S-MINAE (2015). Reglamento sobre condiciones de operación y control de emisiones para coincineración de residuos sólidos ordinarios.