In our interconnected world, embarking on a journey to uncover the beauty, culture, and diversity of our planet is an invaluable experience. As travellers’ venture into new destinations, the environmental impact of discarding plastic waste becomes increasingly apparent. A 2021 report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) underscores tourism’s significant contribution to the global plastic pollution crisis. Tourism, a significant economic contributor, often comes at an environmental cost, with plastic waste emerging as a major culprit. Yet, there exists a simple yet powerful solution: adopting a mindset that embraces sustainability. This holds the potential to transform how we manage plastic waste in the travel industry.
Adopting a sustainable mindset requires embracing the principles of a circular economy, centered on the fundamental tenets of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – commonly referred to as the 3Rs. Reduction involves efficient design and material use, while reuse focuses on extending product life, and recycling transforms waste into a renewable resource. Integrating these principles into travel necessitates a reimagining of material life cycles, emphasizing reuse, recycling, and minimizing environmental impact. This transformative shift not only creates opportunities for recycling and repurposing materials but also sets in motion a positive ripple effect, fostering improvements in both environmental and social aspects. Plastic is a valuable resource, versatile and durable and can be recycled. Responsible disposal of plastic post use and recycling rather repurposing used plastic into value added products hold the key to resolving this challenge. Particularly in a country like India, cleaner destinations have the potential to attract more visitors, thereby contributing positively to economic growth.
Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd, says, “Ensuring food safety and health is of paramount importance for travellers, particularly in unfamiliar environments. Plastic packaging for food and beverages plays a crucial role in extending the shelf life of products and preserving their quality, thereby preventing contamination. Remarkably, just 2 grams of plastic can extend the shelf life of a vegetable by 11 days. Allowing such items to rot without proper disposal would result in a carbon footprint five times larger than the environmental impact of producing the plastic film.”
However, the challenge lies in the indiscriminate disposal of plastic after use, especially when travellers show little concern for the state of the environment after their departure. This issue is evident even in the routes of religious pilgrimages in hilly areas. Implementing successful models such as deposit refund systems to reward responsible disposal and employing penalties for littering in public places, facilitated by visual tracking and AI technology, can effectively address this problem.
Studies indicate that more than 80% of littering is deliberate, underscoring the importance of promoting conscious choices through education. Through the promotion of eco-friendly alternatives and the enforcement of sustainable practices, we can encourage travellers to be mindful of their environmental impact. “Empowering individuals to recognize the consequences of their choices enables them to make informed decisions throughout their journeys. This communication should be emphasized across all platforms, including vehicles, accommodations, and signage at public locations. Companies should be incentivized to create environmentally friendly travel packs for their products, contributing to a more sustainable travel experience,” adds George.
Trade and establishments, significant contributors to the travel industry, play a pivotal role in advancing a circular economy. By guaranteeing the responsible collection and recycling of post-use materials linked to on-premises consumption, they can significantly impact waste reduction. Implementing practices such as deposit recovery systems can prevent the mindless discarding of post-consumption packaging, addressing the largest challenge of recycling industry in sorting and processing mixed waste. George believes, “The introduction of certifications and standards related to sustainable travel, such as eco-friendly accommodation certifications, green café certifications, and other recognized benchmarks, can guide tourists in making responsible choices. These certifications will encourage businesses to adopt and sustain environmentally friendly practices.”
Active engagement with local communities is a crucial element of successful circular practices in tourism. Local communities bear the ultimate impact of pollution caused by tourists, underscoring the importance of involving them in these initiatives. The participation of local communities can result in the establishment of effective waste management systems, the advocacy for sustainable tourism choices, and the vigilant protection of natural habitats from plastic waste. This inclusive approach ensures the responsible sharing of the benefits derived from tourism, fostering a symbiotic relationship between visitors and the local environment.
“Achieving sustainable tourism demands a collaborative effort from diverse industry stakeholders, each playing a unique role in reshaping the travel landscape. This collaborative initiative begins with businesses, spanning airlines and hotels to tour operators, local vendors, and producers of consumer goods, fostering a joint commitment to environmental responsibility. Crucial components of this effort include investments in technology to maximise reuse of plastic packaging and the establishment of recycling units to produce value added items near consumption centres,” explains George. Industry associations can act as catalysts in this transformation by creating guidelines and standards for sustainable practices, thereby encouraging their widespread adoption throughout the travel sector.
The government, serving as a crucial enabler, assumes a pivotal role in shaping a circular future. Essential elements of effective governmental involvement include the implementation of policies that incentivize circular practices, the encouragement of research and innovation, and collaboration with industries and local communities. There has been concerted efforts from the government with ban on single use plastics and roll out of extended producer responsibility on plastic recycling. The recent initiative of ‘LiFE Mission by Govt of India’ to create an India-led global mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment is a welcome step in the direction. The success of these initiatives relies on a concerted effort to rigorously enforce policies, creating an environment conducive to sustainable progress. Local administrative bodies also play an enormous role in ensuring the success and impact of these policies on a regional level.
Achieving a circular economy in travel requires collaborative efforts from the industry, local communities, and government bodies to collectively address challenges. Encouraging travellers to adopt a circular economy mindset becomes a shared responsibility rather than individual choices. This journey involves collective actions, informed decision-making, and collaborative endeavours, paving the way for a future where the beauty of travel destinations is preserved, and the well-being of communities is nurtured.
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