Pilot Program for Recognizing Plastic-Free Tourism Businesses

DNO – On September 9th, at the ceremony announcing the “Plastic-Free Hotel” certification for Silk Sense River Hoi An resort (Quang Nam), the Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Vu The Binh, stated that a pilot program of criteria for recognizing plastic-free tourism businesses will be implemented at hotels and resorts, aiming to replicate best practices in plastic waste management among tourism businesses and contribute to the goal of “Plastic-Free Tourism in Vietnam”.

Based on the “Plastic-Free Hotel” criteria set successfully developed and implemented by Silk Sense River Hoi An Resort with 70 criteria, the Vietnam Tourism Association will research, refine, and issue it for evaluation of hotels and resorts that are members of the Vietnam Tourism Association, with a view to applying it throughout the entire tourism industry.

Tourism is considered a sector severely affected by plastic waste pollution, but it is also a significant source of plastic waste. The Vietnam Tourism Association has actively and proactively launched environmental protection initiatives and implemented them among tourism businesses nationwide.

Currently, with funding from the Global Environment Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/GEF-SGP), the Vietnam Tourism Association is actively implementing the project “Reducing Plastic Waste in Vietnam’s Tourism Sector,” to be carried out over two years (2023-2024). This project aims to promote activities to reduce plastic waste in the tourism sector, focusing on raising awareness among businesses, citizens, and tourists about the harmful effects of plastic waste and fostering a sense of responsibility in reducing it.

Simultaneously, the development and pilot application of criteria for recognizing plastic-waste-free tourism businesses will be implemented, contributing to the widespread adoption of plastic waste reduction management practices by businesses, and calling for the efforts and contributions of people, businesses, communities, and tourists towards the goal of “Plastic-Waste-Free Tourism in Vietnam”.

The “Plastic-Free Hotel” criteria set, successfully developed and implemented by Silk Sense River Hoi An Resort, comprises 70 criteria across 11 groups, implemented by 3 different entities.

Specifically, the hotel implements general policies; plastic waste reduction solutions for hotel staff; waste sorting at source; and reduction of plastic waste in guest rooms, restaurants, bars, kitchens, and conference rooms.

Suppliers are changing their habits regarding the use of single-use plastics; choosing suppliers that meet requirements to eliminate or minimize plastic waste; and disposing of plastic packaging that must be used.

Guests staying at the hotel are encouraged to cooperate and take responsibility for minimizing plastic waste. Plastic waste generated from guests’ use and discarded at the hotel will be sorted and processed.

Furthermore, Silk Sense River Hoi An Resort also implements environmental and ecological protection measures such as: construction using unburnt bricks and AAC autoclaved aerated concrete; a central inverter air conditioning system that utilizes heat to heat the water used in the hotel; mineral salts in the swimming pool; glass bottles for drinking water; processing organic waste to use as fertilizer for vegetables and the green spaces, lawns, and flowers; environmentally friendly personal hygiene items; and reusable disposable cups for planting seedlings and flowers to extend their lifespan.

HOANG HIEP

Source: https://baodanang.vn/xa-hoi/202309/thi-diem-bo-tieu-chi-cong-nhan-doanh-nghiep-du-lich-khong-rac-thai-nhua-3955719/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR3K4qwrG1zB9zMYzU7CUJ6Pr_225j9geJa4Jh0LnW5LgQYxTRCNMZ7vuDE