International Tourism Plastic Pledge: one-year anniversary
nieuws Circulaire economie 25 september 2020
On 26 September 2019, 200 companies and tourism organisations signed the International Tourism Plastic Pledge. They expressed their joint commitment to reduce plastic pollution at holiday destinations worldwide. Now, exactly one year later, the pledge has been signed by more than 200 organisations. Here, MVO Nederland wants to look back on what has been done so far. And look forward to what’s next for the pledge.
Look back
Since the launch of the pledge we have been sharing knowledge and inspirational stories, like Trashpackers, RESPONSible Travel Peru, Searious Business, WWF-NL and Water to Go did at the meet-up at the Vakantiebeurs. In March, during a productive working session we made a great start with the design of an action plan for 2020. In this plan, parties joined forces to create as much positive impact as possible throughout the supply chain. Then corona turned the world upside down and the sector takes heavy blows. Priorities shifted and many companies are struggling to survive. During these challenging times, MVO Nederland organised the webinar Why this Corona crisis is the best time to reduce single-use plastic, together with Travel Without Plastic Most important takeaway was to prioritize process over products. Click here to see the webinar.
gLOBAL tOURISM pLASTICS iNITIATIVE
As a member of the Advisory Group, MVO Nederland is also contributing to the co-creation of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. The initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution and is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organisation, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. We invite you have a look at the website and to consider becoming a signatory of the Initiative.
what’s next?
To rebuild a better tourism sector and healthy, happy holiday destinations, tackling the use and dispose of plastics is an important topic. In the coming months MVO Nederland would like to provide participants with tips and examples on how to deal with single use plastics and guarantee hygiene standards. Also, our next webinar takes place on 22 October 2020. Together with Searious Business MVO Nederland will discuss how to reduce plastic waste and reduce costs.
Furthermore, MVO Nederland has formed a consortium with the ANVR, CELTH, Green Destinations and Travelife. By combining knowledge, expertise and network, the parties form a powerful consortium to accelerate the transition to a plastic pollution-free tourism sector. To continue and upscale our activities we are jointly working on a proposal for funding.
If you would like to know more about MVO Nederland, check out our English website.