Travel without plastic waste

Over the years, localities, businesses and people have made efforts to protect the environment through the “Plastic Waste Free Tourism” movement. This movement has brought about many positive changes, contributing to the building of a green and sustainable tourism industry.

People and tourists use glass bottles in Sung Sot Cave area, Ha Long Bay.

Since September 1, 2019, implementing the policy of the Government and Quang Ninh province on not using plastic bags and disposable plastic products, Ha Long Bay Management Board has stepped up propaganda work to individuals, units, and businesses operating in services and tourism on Ha Long Bay and deployed many practical solutions to combat plastic waste.

Ha Long Bay Management Board requires organizations and individuals not to use disposable plastic products, including: plastic cups, plastic straws, plastic water bottles, boxes, bowls, food plates, nylon bags..., and replace them with environmentally friendly products when operating tourism and services in the World Heritage - Natural Wonder of Ha Long Bay. Along with that, install signs and distribute leaflets with notices not to use disposable plastic products at ports, tourist attractions on the bay, on tourist boats... At the same time, organize to sign a commitment to say no to plastic waste with businesses, cruise ship businesses, kayak services, businesses, aquaculture households...

This is the second time in three years (2023-2025) that the theme “Combating Plastic Pollution” has been chosen, clearly demonstrating the global priority in controlling plastic pollution, while reaffirming the commitment to using resources efficiently, protecting biodiversity, enhancing resilience, promoting innovation and strengthening regional and international cooperation towards a circular economy and sustainable development.

By means of synchronous and drastic measures, up to now, the program has created consensus among the majority of businesses, travel agencies, cruise ship owners, people and tourists.

According to Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board, implementing the program, 204 businesses and households operating tourist boats; 15 businesses and households providing Kayak and rowboat services and 51 businesses and households raising aquatic products have signed a commitment not to use disposable plastic products in tourism services on the bay. The anti-plastic waste movement on Ha Long Bay has contributed to reducing over 90% of plastic waste in sightseeing and tourism activities on the bay; reducing 94% of the amount of styrofoam buoys on floating structures of organizations and individuals operating tourism businesses and services on the bay... At the same time, it has significantly changed the awareness and actions of the business community, people as well as tourists.

Not only Ha Long Bay, in order to develop sustainable tourism, Co To island district has piloted and effectively implemented the project "Co To island district without plastic waste" (Project 175). For the movement to be effective, Co To district requires passenger transport companies and travel companies to guide and propagate to people and tourists right from the time of selling tickets at the port before going to Co To island not to use plastic bottles, nylon bags, disposable plastic items and items that are at risk of polluting the environment... Along with that, the district propagates and mobilizes each person on the island to promote a sense of responsibility, actively participate, organize activities against plastic waste with specific and practical actions; change habits, say no to single-use plastic products, nylon bags through shopping, in daily life, work, and labor; use environmentally friendly products instead. At the same time, participate in environmental protection activities in the place of residence with the smallest actions such as sorting waste at source, recycling, reusing waste, saving raw materials and fuel; promptly condemn acts that pollute the marine environment, habits of wasting resources and energy.

Tourists pick up trash, responding to the movement "Co To District has no plastic waste" at the beach in Co To.

In particular, some accommodation establishments have created a new tour called “garbage collection tour”, which has been well received by many tourists and locals, especially foreign tourists. Locals and tourists not only collect garbage on the islands and beaches, but also experience and explore the beautiful tourist destinations on the island, so “garbage collection tour” is becoming an attractive tourism product for many tourists and has received positive responses from tourism workers on Co To island district.

Following Co To, on April 24, 2024, Van Don district also issued Plan No. 1299/KH-UBND on reducing plastic waste in 5 island communes in the area. In particular, the goal is that from the third quarter of 2024, 100% of units, agencies, organizations and unions in the communes of Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Thang Loi and Ban Sen will not use disposable plastic products in their activities, limit 80% of non-degradable plastic products; strive to reduce 50% of plastic waste by 2025 and move towards eliminating plastic waste in these localities by 2030.

Currently, Minh Chau has seen pioneering units spreading the message of no plastic waste. Mr. Ha Huy Manh, owner of Phoenix Hotel, Minh Chau Commune, shared: From the time of the idea of ​​construction to the time of operation for more than 4 years, the unit has always been persistent in its viewpoint of protecting the island's environment from the smallest actions to spread to the people and tourists. In all decorative spaces and construction materials, the unit makes the most of recycled materials; does not use disposable bottled water but replaces it with glass bottles, does not use plastic straws as well as minimizes the use of plastic bags in daily activities...

Quang Ninh Province has a coastline of over 250km, owning the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay with unique values ​​in culture - history, landscape, as well as biodiversity. In addition, the province also has Bai Tu Long Bay and many large islands with beautiful natural scenery, fresh air, which are ideal resort destinations for domestic and international tourists. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage and strictly apply the regulation of not using plastic bags and disposable plastic products for people and tourists, contributing to protecting the environment, marine ecology, developing sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/du-lich-khong-rac-thai-nhua-3361229.html