One of the biggest threats to local ecosystems, including in the tourism industry, is PLASTIC pollution. Plastics, especially single-use plastics, have become ubiquitous in our lives and have significant effects on the environment. The devastating impact of plastic pollution is felt directly on the well-being of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and the tourists who choose to visit the country every year. Plastic accumulated in rivers, lakes and soil turns into microplastic, which then infiltrates the food chain and affects human health. Faced with this reality, it is absolutely necessary to firmly address this issue and take concrete and effective measures.
The tourism sector around the world contributes significantly to the generation of large amounts of plastic waste, especially single-use. From food packaging and coffee cups to water bottles and toiletries, plastic waste resulting from tourist consumption has become a serious threat to natural ecosystems.
Starting from the results of the National Study on Plastic Waste 2023, which demonstrated that recycling is not the most effective solution in the fight against plastic waste at the national level, i.e. maximum 3% of the total plastic waste at the moment is recycled, AO E-Circular and AO Verde e Moldova developed the GUIDE FOR REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY. The guide is a practical informational resource especially for tourism service providers to adopt sustainable strategies and reduce the plastic footprint of the tourism industry.
