Experts share at the workshop

According to experts, the tourism industry (hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, transportation, homestays, ...) is a huge source of plastic waste (more than 150 million tons/year, accounting for 37.5% of the total amount of plastic waste globally). Plastic waste in the tourism industry is a big problem. A 200-room hotel can generate about 300,000 single-use plastic products in a month at maximum capacity (including water bottles, room amenities, food wrap, shopping bags, rubber gloves and plastic bags). Single-use plastic in the accommodation business by weight is 32% related to water bottles, 31% to personal hygiene items, 15% to plastic bags and trash liners, 9% to food packaging, etc.

Reducing plastic waste in the tourism industry is an urgent issue. This will benefit businesses, communities and the country; Sustainable development of the tourism industry; Consumption trends of visitors. In addition, it will ensure legal agreements and regulations on plastic reduction at international, national and local levels.

Experts also proposed many solutions to reduce plastic waste in the tourism industry, including a 7-step process, including: Mobilizing commitment from senior management; Basic assessment of plastic use at hotels; Setting goals; Developing an action plan; Organizing implementation; Communication, marketing and raising awareness; and the final step is monitoring, evaluating, and providing specific reports.

News and photos: HUU PHUC