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Huge success: online seminar "Plastic reduction and hygiene standards" for hotels with over 70 participants
Tatjana PetersFollowing the successful completion of phase 1 of our "Plastic-free vacations" industry project on the Balearic Islands with the preliminary study and the coordination of suitable measures for implementation in 2019, phase 2 was to start this spring with the implementation of the measures. Together with our project partners Travel Without Plastics, Save The Med and CleanWave, we prepared the implementation of various plastic reduction measures with the participating hotels.
Online seminar for Spanish hotels on reducing single-use plastic
With the start of the global coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent closure of all hotels, we were unable to implement the planned measures in the spring as intended. When the hotels reopened in summer, they faced major challenges with regard to the new hygiene regulations and the desire to continue reducing (single-use) plastic.
To support our hotel partners and other interested hotels in reducing plastic waste AND complying with COVID-related hygiene regulations at the same time, we held an online seminar for Spanish hotels in collaboration with Travel Without Plastic and Intertek Cristal. The expert speakers Jo Hendrickx from Travel Without Plastics and Anna Vitoria and Ana Amoeiro from Intertek Cristal gave the more than 70 interested participants insights into processes that can minimize the use of single-use plastics and comply with hygiene standards. The focus here was on the use of water dispensers instead of plastic bottles, food service, cleaning/disinfection, responsible handling and disposal of unavoidable plastic waste. In addition, the participants received concrete advice on how to comply with Spanish COVID regulations while reducing plastic at the same time. Our project partners from the Government of the Balearic Islands supported the webinar by addressing greetings to the participants, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in times of crisis.
There are several reasons why single-use plastic products are not the answer to hygiene regulations, as viruses and bacteria live on all surfaces and single-use plastic items often give a false sense of security (e.g. gloves, masks). It is recommended to focus on introducing or improving hygiene processes to ensure better hygiene now in view of Corona, but also in view of possible other infections. Our online seminar shows how to do this and what hotels need to consider:
