GSTC Joins Global Tourism Plastic Initiative (GTPI) to Take on Plastic Pollution

The GSTC has become a Signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative

The GSTC Criteria references to plastic pollution reduction

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: The Destination Criteria and The Industry Criteria.

GSTC Industry Criteria: D1.1 Environmentally preferable purchasing

Purchasing policies favour environmentally sustainable suppliers and products, including capital goods, food, beverages, building materials and consumables.

Indicators:
a. A documented environmental purchasing policy is in place.
b. Preference is given to products and suppliers with environmental certification – notably with respect to wood, paper, fish, other foods, and products from the wild.
c. Where certified products are not available, consideration is given to origin and methods of growing or production.
d. Threatened species are not used or sold.
e. Service providers and other operators selected and featured in tours have environmental/sustainability certification where possible.
f. Where certified businesses are not available, the sustainability performance of service providers is considered and required improvements are communicated and implemented.

GSTC Industry Criteria: D1.2 Efficient purchasing

The organization carefully manages the purchasing of consumables and disposable goods, including food, in order to minimize waste.

Indicators:
a. Purchasing favours reusable, returnable and recycled goods.
b. Purchasing and use of consumable and disposable goods are monitored and managed.
c. Unnecessary packaging (especially from plastic) is avoided, with buying in bulk as appropriate.

GSTC Industry Criteria: D2.4 Solid waste

Waste, including food waste, is measured, mechanisms are in place to reduce waste and, where reduction is not feasible, to reuse or recycle it. Any residual waste disposal has no adverse effect on the local population or the environment.

Indicators:
a. The organization is aware of waste management arrangements in the main destinations visited, and seeks to influence their improvement where necessary and practicable.
b. A solid waste management plan is in place for the organization’s operations and those over which it has direct influence/control.
c. The solid waste management plan includes actions to reduce, separate and reuse or recycle food waste where applicable.
d. Waste disposal is to a government-run or approved facility and there is evidence that the facility has no negative impact on the environment or local population.
e. Solid waste disposed of is measured by type and goals are in place to minimize non-diverted solid waste.
f. Guidance is given to customers, staff and suppliers of products and services on minimizing waste.

GSTC Industry Criteria: D2.6 Minimize pollution

The organization implements practices to minimize pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting substances, and air, water and soil contaminants.

Indicators:
a. The potential sources of pollution covered in the criterion have been reviewed and identified.
b. The potential sources of pollution covered in the criterion are monitored.
c. Action is taken to minimize and where possible eliminate pollution from the sources covered in the criterion.

GSTC Destination Criteria: D(c) Management of waste and emissions: D9 Solid waste

The destination measures and reports on its generation of waste and sets targets for its reduction. It ensures solid waste is properly treated and diverted from landfill, with the provision of a multiple-stream collection and recycling system which effectively separates waste by type. The destination encourages enterprises to avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste, including food waste. Action is taken to eliminate or reduce single-use items, especially plastics. Any residual solid waste that is not reused or recycled is disposed of safely and sustainably.

Indicators:
a. Waste monitoring programme, with results and targets published.
b. Coordinated campaign/advice/support with tourism enterprises on waste management, including food waste.
c. Campaign to reduce/eliminate single-use items, especially plastics.
d. Waste management programme for public offices and facilities.
e. Provision of a collection and recycling system, with at least four streams (i.e. organic, paper, metal, glass and plastic).
f. Provision of a sustainable system for the disposal of residual waste.
g. Campaign to eliminate dropping of litter, including by visitors, and to keep public spaces clean.
h. Adequate bins for separated waste disposal.

About the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative

Developed within the framework of the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet network, a multi-stakeholder partnership to implement SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organisation, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative acts as the tourism sector interface of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which unites more than 450 businesses, governments, and other organisations behind a common vision and targets to address plastic waste and pollution at its source. As such, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative will implement the New Plastics Economy vision, framework to mobilise the global tourism industry towards concerted significant action against plastic pollution.