Still challenging, though effective
According to a report from the Institute of Tourism Development Research, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the growth in tourist arrivals and the trend of more tourism in the past period have discharged a large amount of waste into the environment, including garbage. plastic waste. It is estimated that in tourism, on average, each tourist discharges into the environment from 5 to 10 plastic bags/day; 2-4 plastic bottles, milk cartons/day. That is not to mention other disposable plastic products and personal items.
For restaurants, eateries, including many hotels, the habit of using plastic and plastic bags has not really improved. Along with that is the source of waste from the processing stage, from the waste products after eating ... making the "problem" of the environment has not yet found a specific solution. That is a great pressure on the environment, especially in tourist areas, causing objections to tourists, easily leading to a decrease in the number of visitors, and economic damage to tourism.
In May 5, more than 2019 tourism agencies, units and businesses in the province signed a commitment to say no to plastic products. Specifically, tourism units and businesses commit to do not use plastic products and single-use plastic products; in conferences and seminars of the unit, do not use single-use bottled drinking water with a volume of 80 - 330ml; Tourist service establishments, tourist resorts, tourist attractions shall collect, classify and treat waste according to regulations; Every Sunday, we organize environmental and landscape cleaning at places of residence and work...
To change is not easy. Currently, many hotels when holding conferences still use plastic bottles. The process of moving, serving drinking water to visitors or other activities still have to use plastic bottles. Because using items like glass is very difficult, even dangerous. While, there are no optimal items to replace.
In a related development, the rational application of environmentally friendly items can save costs and increase profits for the business itself. Villa Hue Hotel is an example. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Director of the Tourism Practice Training Center, Villa Hue Hotel said that over the past time, the hotel has used many environmentally friendly products to replace plastic products, such as plastic products, such as plastic products. use glass water bottles; provide large water bottles for guests to use; single-use shower gel and shampoo bottles are replaced with long-lasting large bottles; using products of natural origin from biological materials such as bamboo, paper, sugar cane, coconut; Paper and stainless steel straws replace plastic straws…
“By applying that, the hotel has reduced 20.400 plastic bottles every year, saving 61 million VND; 13.200 bottles of personal shampoo, 11.000 bottles of personal shower gel, saving 72 million VND; Limit the use of about 21.000 plastic straws. The total cost saved is nearly 150 million VND/year,” said Ms. Hoa.
From commitment to action
Targets by 2024, TP. Hue has become a plastic reduction city with 70% of solid waste being sorted at source, collected and treated, and accelerated recovery of recyclables from landfills. By 2030, the system of rivers and wetland ecosystems in the city will Hue will be protected from plastic waste pollution. If this can be done, it will not only change the face of the city but also contribute to sustainable tourism development.
According to tourism businesses, currently products that replace plastic products have not met the demand. Therefore, more attention is needed from authorities and organizations in implementing solutions to reduce plastic waste. Support resources in implementing solutions to reduce plastic waste. There needs to be a more specific study on the total amount of garbage at each hotel and destination. From there, a specific goal to reduce plastic waste is set.
In tourism activities, the application of proper and appropriate environmental protection solutions will bring practical effects. As the model at Villa Hue Hotel is being deployed, it needs to be replicated. Along with that, each waiter is conscious of using environmentally friendly items, and then conveys that message to visitors. On the side of each visitor, it is also necessary to share and support the destination in reducing plastic waste.
A more specific solution for the tourism industry has just been implemented, the Department of Tourism, the Association of Tourism and the project "Hue - City to reduce plastic in Central Vietnam" launched and signed a commitment to implement programs. process to reduce plastic waste in tourism activities among tourism organizations, units and businesses in the coming time.
Ms. Nguyen Hoang Thuy Vy, Standing Vice President of the Provincial Tourism Association, said that tourism businesses will jointly commit to training staff on waste sorting at source and reducing plastic waste. Develop regulations on saving electricity and water resources. Apply the 6T principle, including: refuse, reduce, reuse, replace, recycle, and collect. Implement waste separation at source. Calling for participation and persuading customers to reduce single-use plastic... Immediately after making the commitment, the association popularized all businesses and tourist attractions to contribute to the mission of bringing together Hue becomes a "Plastic Smart City" by 1 with the goal of reducing 2024% of plastic waste released into the natural environment.
