Creating a plastic-free tourism sector is a challenge. Here's why it's worth it

Plastic has transformed many industries, including travel, tourism and hospitality since it first came into widespread use in the early 20^th century.

Thanks to plastic’s lightweight, affordable and durable properties, single-use items like cups, cutlery, bottles and vanity kits quickly became staples in hotels, resorts and destinations, because they were easy to handle and reduced operational burdens.

Small plastic bottles of toiletries, still found in thousands of hotel bathrooms today, symbolize convenience and luxury. However, as society grows more aware of the negative impact of plastic waste, the role of these products in travel, tourism and hospitality is being closely scrutinized.

With individuals, communities and governments increasingly understanding and agreeing that something must be done about this global environmental crisis, numerous interventions emerged across the sector and the UN Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Tourism-led action and commitment framework have emerged to address the problem of plastic across the global tourism supply value chains.

However, the problem with plastic is still rife and, as highlighted by UNEP, more must be done.

The tourism industry significantly contributes to plastic pollution, with a marked increase in marine pollution seen during peak travel seasons in places like the Mediterranean.

According to WWF, plastic pollution levels in the sea can rise by up to 40% in these areas during peak seasons, demonstrating a direct correlation between tourism and the presence of marine litter. Indeed, research from as far back as 1997 indicated that up to 80% of waste in the ocean was made up of non-biodegradable plastic.

While plastic offers convenience, its downsides are becoming harder to ignore. Customer reviews increasingly call out destinations, attractions and businesses that are plagued by plastic litter, signalling a shift in customer expectations. Such feedback has the potential to damage a destination’s reputation and deter future visitors.

Beyond the visual pollution, microplastics have also emerged as a growing health concern, prompting people to demand changes in how businesses handle plastic.

A 2022 poll from Ipsos reported that an average of 85% of people from 28 countries want to see a reduction in plastic use, but tourists have little control over local practices and look to the places they stay at to take the lead on reducing plastic use. As these realities set in, there’s been a push to rethink how single-use plastics fit into the travel industry.

With that said, Travel Without Plastic have found that “despite guests being increasingly open to criticizing visible plastic waste, they can also be quick to complain if services aren’t convenient – especially when it comes to essentials like drinking water.

“Refill stations may be inconvenient for guests if they're not easily accessible throughout the property or available outside the hotel, such as at the beach or in town.”

This highlights a gap between what guests expect in terms of convenience and the effort that they are willing to make themselves to reduce plastic consumption when they travel. It also points to a bigger issue: many destinations lack the infrastructure needed to support widespread reduction of plastic bottle use, which could benefit tourists and locals alike.

However, some commendable initiatives with tangible impact have emerged across the globe, with lessons that could easily be replicated and scaled.

For example, Zimbabwean-owned EcoDrop is responding to the huge volumes of water bottle usage at one of the seven wonders of the world – Victoria Falls.

By placing refill stations in and around Victoria Falls’ airport, town, UNESCO World Heritage site and various hotels – destinations easily accessible via EcoDrop's Thirsty Map – visitors and residents can purchase a refillable bottle equipped with a code that can be scanned at any of the refill stations to fill their bottles with cold water, filtered via reverse osmosis.

While the bottle serves as a visitors’ souvenir from their time at Victoria Falls, those that already have a refillable bottle can purchase a tag giving them access to water refills, whilst reducing the production and consumption of refillable bottles, which may potentially become another waste problem.

As demand grows for reduced plastic use, many hotels have started replacing single-use plastics with other disposable materials. Simply swapping one disposable item for another keeps businesses locked in a linear economy, doing little to encourage a shift towards more sustainable, circular practices.

Compounding this, not all alternatives are as green as they seem. While some hotels may have ditched plastic, they often solve one problem, without resolving the underlying issues of waste reduction at source and creating another problem as local supply or waste management systems can't – or won't – keep up with innovations and new discarder materials.

Equally, the availability of adequate alternatives may prove problematic, as reported by the BBC when looking at paper straws and wooden cutlery as a viable option. Fortunately, as noted by Travel Without Plastic, refill, reuse and return models are slowly gaining traction in the industry, although the transition isn’t without hurdles.

Moving to multi-use alternatives requires changes in processes, training for staff, coordination with suppliers and buy-in from guests and implementing such changes can be daunting.

Hotels are often short-staffed, and managers may worry that any changes will look like a cost-cutting exercise or a reduction in service. Plus, suppliers may not yet be able to provide alternatives at a price or scale that hotels need and can afford.

Technology has always been at the forefront of the search for solutions. Many scientific solutions have been advanced and among the most recent ones, blockchain has emerged as a powerful tool to help combat the plastic pollution crisis.

Equally, some handy lessons of circular economy practices come from arts and crafts segment of the tourism supply chain.

At Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB), discarded mosquito repellent bottles and plastic tanks are being transformed into beautifully handcrafted necklaces, bracelets and key rings. BMB, founded by Basecamp Explorer, empowers Maasai women to preserve their beading tradition and earn a reliable income.

“Tourists bring rubbish, and we found a way to sell it back to them” was the tangible benefit shared by the guide during a visit of the BMB workshop. For over two decades, this fairtrade certified initiative has turned waste into art, blending sustainability with community development in Kenya’s Masai Mara and even reaching Spitsbergen, Norway.

At Travel Without Plastic, when working with hotels the phrase “barriers to change” is often a subject of contention. Trainers map the challenges, assess the barriers and encourage a shift in thinking from “We’ve always done it this way” to “How can we do it differently?” and from “The alternative is too expensive” to “How do we budget for it”. Shifting from a problem-focused mindset to a solutions-oriented one is key to making real progress.

Having a clear commitment to reducing or eliminating single-use plastic requires the re-evaluation of brand standards to identify where single-use plastics, such as packaged condiments or toiletries, are unnecessarily mandated. Many of these items can be eliminated or replaced with new procedures without affecting the guest experience.

Larger hotels are encouraged to simplify their procurement processes to create opportunities for working with local vendors who meet safety and quality standards, and they are often open to implementing packaging take-back systems.

For example, Jaya House in Cambodia has been single-use plastic free since 2016. Their dedication to supporting local suppliers includes partnering with organizations that upcycle plastics into reusable items, like laundry baskets made from plastic bags.

Operational changes need staff buy-in, but employees under pressure may resist. To encourage their engagement, it's crucial to make them feel valued. One effective approach is to have guest experience and loyalty teams collaborate with HR to develop staff loyalty programmes.

While this may not seem directly related to plastic reduction, creating a supportive and appreciative work environment is key to driving change and ensuring the success of sustainability initiatives.

Suppliers might adopt circular economy practices, such as taking back and refilling large five-litre containers of toiletries, which can be washed and reused multiple times within legal limits, supporting waste reduction efforts in hotels.

By adopting a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation, based on a circular economy shared vision, hotels can reduce their reliance on single-use plastics, meet evolving guest expectations, and contribute to a more circular business models in tourism.

While the path towards a tourism sector free from plastic may have its challenges, the benefits – for the environment, businesses, residents, staff and guests – make it a journey worth taking.