GLA teens have the benefit of getting to work alongside our local partners on meaningful projects that bring change to communities and inspire us all to be better global citizens. Bodhi Surf & Yoga, in the Bahia Ballena area of Costa Rica, is one of those partners.

Our partnership with Bodhi brings two GLA program offerings to our students: Costa Rica Protecting the Pacific and Costa Rica Surf & Sustainable Service. Both programs offer students the opportunity to become “ocean guardians,” and stewards of environmental action to protect our oceans and natural habitat through various volunteer projects and initiatives.

Bodhi Surf & Yoga has teamed up with local community leaders and organizations to create Bahia Ballena Libre de Plastico (Bahia Ballena Free of Plastic initiative). One of the problems that the initiative is addressing is the environmental issues that are caused by single-use plastics and what solutions can be created in order to mitigate the environmental damage that convenience plastics create.

Since 2016, several companies in the area have made operational changes to start refusing and reducing single use plastics. GLA students had a unique opportunity to assist in creating a stunning visual reminder of the immense waste caused by single use plastics when they assisted in repurposing 3,494 single use plastic water bottles into 9 x 5 meter (approx 30 feet x 16 feet) humpback whale sculpture.

While the project was completed back in 2017, it still serves as a profound statement of the peril that faces our environment due to waste and reminds us all to do our part to reduce plastic waste across the globe.

The bottle whale has even been on tour all over Costa Rica to raise awareness about single-use plastics and their detrimental effect on the ocean and environment. The photos below were taken while the sculpture was on display at a local mall in Costa Rica’s capital city of San José.

There are many resources out there to learn about things you can do to reduce your plastic use at home and within your community. Reusable water bottles, using metal or bamboo straws, and bringing your own reusable shopping totes are all great and easy ways to start making a difference!

Related Programs:

Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific View Program Page | Download Sample Itinerary

Costa Rica: Surf & Sustainable Service View Program Page | Download Sample Itinerary