The Garabito Municipality have begun using modern equipment known as the “Barber Surf Rake” towed by a tractor that allows the cleaning of one kilometer of beach every 15 minutes, in the case of Jaco, the whole beach can be cleaned within one hour.

The machine made in the United States and with a value of 40 million colones (close to $69,155.00 USD) uses a system of chains to collect garbage.

This equipment is currently only operating in Jaco but can be transported to other beaches, it does not have any negative impacts on the ecosystems.

“Barber beach cleaning machines are effective in removing beach pollution such as seaweed, dead fish, glass, syringes, plastic, cans, cigarettes, shells, stone, wood and virtually any unwanted debris. Barber beach cleaning machines are even used to effectively remove oil and tar balls from beach sand after oil spill disasters”, explains the manufacturer’s website.

The equipment is currently in testing period through the end of the year, and the Municipality is working with private companies in the area to try to raise the necessary funds to keep the Surf Rake for the benefit of the county.