Over the course of 2018, and as part of its ‘Wave of Change’ programme, the Majorca-based tourism group will be reducing the amount of plastic waste generated in its hotels by more than 200 tons. A measure made possible thanks to an ambitious strategy to replace single use plastic products such as bottles, bags and amenities with other, more eco-friendly alternatives
In April this year, the company announced its decision to guarantee all the rooms in its 110 hotels around the world will be single use plastic free in 2019
To commemorate today’s World Oceans Day, the Iberostar Group has organised a packed programme of activities at all its hotels in order to encourage guests and employees to join the ‘Wave of Change’ movement
Oceans make up around 70% of the Earth’s surface and are a vital resource for sustaining life on our planet. The Iberostar Group, a hotel chain with strong ties to the seas and oceans – more than 80% of its hotels boast seafront locations – is determined to make a real and effective contribution to the protection and conservation of this unique asset.
In order to bring this about, the Iberostar Group has set up its ‘Wave of Change’ movement, an ambitious initiative designed in line with Goal 14 of the SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), centred on three main areas: the reduction of plastic pollution; the promotion of sustainable fishing; and the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems.
Elimination of more than 200 tons of single use plastics in Spain
Reducing plastic pollution is one of the key issues in Iberostar’s commitment to the oceans. Thanks to an ambitious policy designed to eliminate and replace single use plastics for alternative eco-friendly materials, during 2018 the company will have successfully prevented the generation of 200,000 kilograms of plastic waste.
This number, which refers to Iberostar’s hotel portfolio in Spain, is the result of replacing plastic bottles with glass alternatives – saving 43,800 kilograms of plastic -,and substituting all plastic bin liners for others made from vegetable potato starch-based materials – thereby reducing the amount of plastic used by 134,619 kilograms. In addition, in 2018, the redesign of amenities and accessories such as pens and pencils will also cut down the amount of plastic generated by a further 3,000 kilograms.
Adding to its determined commitment to ensuring single use plastic free rooms, Iberostar is also working on the elimination of plastics from other areas of its hotels. To date, this has resulted in savings of 21,200 kilograms of plastic plates, glasses and cutlery, which have been replaced with bamboo or similar products.
The new bracelets, made of organic fabric, or the replacement of plastic packaging for alternatives made of top quality certified recycled and recyclable materials, are some of the other measures adopted, which are also in line with the policy of encouraging a circular economy.
The company, which launched the first phase of this programme in 2017 by eliminating the use of 10 million plastic straws, has announced that during 2018 it will commit to eliminating single use plastics from its hotel rooms in Spain, an achievement that will be extended to the rest of its hotels around the world in 2019.
