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The RPM Program has joined the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative.

 

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is a collaborative effort between the UN Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization, in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

The initiative aims to bring together tourism stakeholders including governments, businesses, and NGOs to address the issue of plastic pollution in the tourism industry.  This initiative compliments the work that the RPM Program is doing in the hospitality sector with the Clean the World Foundation and associated 8500 hotels. 

   

 

The Global Tourism Plastics initiative has three main objectives:

1. Eliminate unnecessary plastics: This involves identifying and eliminating single-use plastic items that are not necessary and can be replaced with more sustainable alternatives.
2. Innovate to ensure 100% of plastic packaging can be easily and safely reused, recycled, or composted by 2025: This involves working with businesses to redesign their products and packaging to be more sustainable.
3. Take action to increase the amount of recycled plastics in tourism: This involves working with governments and businesses to increase the amount of recycled plastic used in the tourism industry.

 

 

 

How does the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative support the tourism sector?

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative will support companies, destinations, associations, and NGOs through:  

• Sharing information about the plastic pollution challenge and the solutions being implemented across the sector;
• Fostering procurement practices that consider the plastic footprint of products and services and encourage circularity in the use of plastics;
• Promoting innovation and facilitating the cooperation between governments, local organisations, and businesses;
• Consolidating the progress reported by all signatories and establishing a performance benchmark; 
• Publicly communicating the actions taken by signatories and showcasing the leadership of the sector.

 

Benefits

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative offers a number of benefits for both the environment and the tourism industry. Here are just a few:

1. Reduced plastic waste: By eliminating unnecessary plastics and increasing the use of recycled plastics, the initiative will help to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by the tourism industry.
2. Improved environmental sustainability: By reducing plastic waste and encouraging the use of more sustainable alternatives, the initiative will help to improve the overall environmental sustainability of the tourism industry.
3. Cost savings: By eliminating unnecessary plastics and reducing waste, businesses in the tourism industry can save money on disposal and purchasing costs.
4. Improved reputation: By participating in the initiative and taking action to reduce plastic waste, businesses in the tourism industry can improve their reputation and appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.

 

By working together, tourism stakeholders can create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly industry for the future.

 

Contact us about our work in the Tourism and Hospitality sector and with Clean the World

 

About the One Planet network Sustainable Tourism Programme 

The One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme has the overall objective to enhance the sustainable development impacts of the tourism sector by 2030, by developing, promoting and scaling up sustainable consumption and production practices that boost the efficient use of natural resources while producing less waste and addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity. The One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme is led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the Government of France (Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition) and the Government of Spain (Secretariat of State for Tourism) as co-leads. The Sustainable Tourism Programme is part of the One Planet network, a multi-stakeholder partnership to implement SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production. 

https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sustainable-tourism 

 

About the United Nations Environment Programme 

The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. 

http://www.unenvironment.org  

 

About the World Tourism Organisation 

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. 

https://www.unwto.org/   

 

About the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation was launched in 2010 with the aim of accelerating the transition to the circular economy. Since its creation, the charity has emerged as a global thought leader, putting the circular economy on the agenda of decision-makers around the world. The charity’s work focuses on seven key areas: insight and analysis; business; institutions, governments, and cities; systemic initiatives; circular design; learning; and communications. 

https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/ 

 

About the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 

The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment unites businesses, governments, and other organisations behind a common vision and targets to address plastic waste and pollution at its source. Signatories include companies representing 20% of all plastic packaging produced globally, as well as governments, NGOs, universities, industry associations, investors, and other organisations. The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme. 

https://www.newplasticseconomy.org/projects/global-commitment 

 

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative offers several benefits for businesses and the tourism industry as a whole. Here are some key benefits:

 

1. Environmental Conservation: By participating in the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, businesses in the tourism sector actively contribute to reducing plastic pollution and conserving natural ecosystems. The initiative focuses on minimizing the use of single-use plastics, promoting recycling and responsible waste management, and finding sustainable alternatives. This helps protect marine life, biodiversity, and the overall health of the environment.

2. Reputation and Brand Enhancement: Businesses that join the initiative demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible tourism practices. This can significantly enhance their reputation and brand image among environmentally conscious travelers, potential customers, and stakeholders. Participating businesses can showcase their efforts and achievements in reducing plastic waste, gaining a competitive advantage in the market.

3. Cost Savings: Transitioning to sustainable alternatives and reducing plastic waste can lead to cost savings for tourism businesses in the long run. By implementing practices such as refillable water stations, bulk purchasing, and eliminating single-use plastic items, businesses can reduce their operational expenses related to purchasing and disposing of plastic materials.

4. Stakeholder Collaboration: The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative provides a platform for businesses to collaborate with other industry stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and local communities. This collaborative approach fosters knowledge sharing, innovation, and the exchange of best practices. Businesses can learn from others, access expertise, and strengthen partnerships to collectively address the plastic pollution challenge in the tourism sector.

5. Resilience and Future Readiness: The initiative encourages businesses to adapt to changing consumer preferences and regulatory requirements related to plastic waste. By proactively implementing sustainable practices, businesses can stay ahead of future regulations, reduce risks associated with plastic-related challenges, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their operations.

6. Participating in the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative not only benefits the environment but also offers businesses the opportunity to align with global sustainability goals, enhance their reputation, and drive positive change within the tourism industry

 

In conclusion, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is an important global initiative and it supports the RPM Programs drive towards reducing plastic waste in the tourism and hospitality industries.