(Introduction):

An efficient solid waste management system is a challenge of all cities, especially in developing countries. One main problem is the lack of indicators that facilitate rapid and efficient evaluation of recycling programs. (Objective): To propose a multivariate economic valuation indicator to help optimize the evaluation of the processes of solid waste management at the municipal level. (Methodology): The Remanent Environmental Investment indicator was applied to the municipal recycling program of Municipality of Belén in 2015-2018. (Results): Investment in the management of recyclable waste did not cover the costs of the program; which implies that there is a deficit in the investment that is assumed by local government. (Conclusions): The proposed indicator allows temporal evaluation and comparison of economic conditions of waste management processes. The indicator is not compatible with the official indicators in Costa Rica. However, it provides comparative information that allows a holistic evaluation of municipal recycling programs.