Assessment of Plastics Reduction Strategies in the Kenyan hospitality Industry in Post Covid -19 Era
Abstract
Plastics are materials consisting of synthetic or semi-synthetic organics commonly made from petrochemicals. Since they are relatively low cost, impervious to water, and versatile, plastic products are widely used in virtually all departments of the hospitality industry. However, plastic pollution emanating from their use has negative impacts that has lead to alterations of habitats, natural processes, and life support systems, thereby reducing the various ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change. This has directly affected millions of people’s sustainable livelihoods, food security capabilities, and social-economic well-being.
The discussion on the effect of plastic on planet Earth has been ongoing and there is no doubt that the management of plastics effects on the environment should be a priority in every sector (Aragaw, & Mekonnen, 2021; de Sousa, 2021and Bucci, et al., 2020). This may have informed the choice of the 2023 World Environment Day theme: Solutions to plastics pollution.
The studies by Mejjad, et al., 2023; Maione, 2021 and Camilleri-Fenech , et al., (2020) confirmed that the tourism and hospitality industry is a major consumer and generator of plastics right from the front office, guest’s rooms, and kitchen and conference area. In Kenya just like many other tourist destinations, there have been campaigns on plastics reduction and management and previous studies show that many establishments have adopted some plastics management policies while others as still struggling (Behuria, 2021).
This study intends to document the success of plastics reductions in the accommodation sectors in Kenya and share the findings with the body of knowledge. As the visitors get educated about their plastic footprint, most of them have adopted the responsible traveler’s code of ethics while others have adopted the eco-tourism principles putting more pressure on service providers to reduce plastics used. A term like “no plastics conference” is now common in the tourism industry. This study aimed to assess the extent to which accommodation facilities in Kenya have managed to reduce plastic usage in the front office, dining areas, rooms, and conference facilities post the COVID-19 era. It also sought to investigate plastics management measures adopted by the industry.
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