The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative has released its first annual
report, where pioneer signatories Accor, Club Med, Hong-Kong and
Shanghai Hotels, Iberostar, Melco, Six Senses among others have reported
progress in commitments to tackle plastic pollution the past year.
Together, the above hospitality names have eliminated more than 108
million plastic items and packaging in 2020, totalling some 804 metric
tons — equivalent to 27 large shipping containers full of plastic.
Some initiatives include Club Med's ongoing global removal of
disposable plastic items and next, reducing by up to 50% the use of
plastic water bottles in 2024; while Accor is planning to offer only dry
amenities on demand in order to reduce the volume offered by default,
as well as introducing reusable solutions in-room and service areas by
2025.
Melco adopted a water refill system in guest rooms to save 14.8
million plastic bottles annually since December 2020, and is continuing
on to its Zero Waste Resorts goal by 2030.
Six Senses has by far pushed quickest ahead in its plastic-free
vision, achieving by 2019 partial replacement of plastic for its
F&B, and with hotel suppliers. The next step is to source naturally
compostable packing, share best practices with industry partners, and a
zero waste to landfill target.
Along
the chain, deSter, a member of gategroup and the leading supplier to
the aviation, hospitality and foodservice industries by discontinuing
the launch of new products with non-recyclable materials; working on
fibre-based technologies and closed loop recycling pilots with
customers; and developing new designs.
Since its inauguration in July 2021, another 21 new signatories have
joined the pledge to make a difference on the value chain level, taking
the total number of organisations in the tourism sector to 113.
They include accommodation companies such as Alila Villas Uluwatu,
and Sudima Hotels); tour operators Secret Scotland Tours, SEE Turtles,
Travel.Bhutan, and Turama Pacific Travel Group; supporting organisations
Jaya House River Park Siem Reap, Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, Union of
International Mountain Leader Associations, and Worldwide Association of
Diving Instructors; as well as Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).