Less Plastic Guide: Caribe Circular regional project unveils key success stories

The Caribe Circular regional project, supported by the German Cooperation for Development (GIZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Mimarena) and the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), presented key success cases and experiences using the “Less Plastic Guide” digital tool to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics in the hotel sector.

The event, held at the Pontifical Catholic Mother and Teacher University (PUCMM), brought together government officials, tourism figures, academic authorities, and students. Various critical aspects were discussed, including a detailed analysis of the application process, the results obtained, significant challenges, and the strategies adopted to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

A panel was conducted where representatives from entities involved in implementing these measures in the Dominican Republic shared their experiences, challenges, and possibilities for reducing waste in the tourism industry.

The choice of PUCMM as the venue for the project presentation reflects its commitment to environmental preservation, sustainability promotion, and continuous pursuit of excellence in education. Ina Percival, director of the School of Gastronomy and Tourism, represented PUCMM with a welcoming speech.

Peter Sommer, GIZ coordinator, stated, “Every sixty seconds, the equivalent of a truckload of plastic waste is dumped into our oceans. Without changing this behavior, by 2050, waste will surpass marine life in quantity. It is imperative that we commit to implementing tools like the Less Plastic Guide to raise awareness in the tourism sector and other segments of society.”

He emphasized the need to support both large chains and smaller establishments, restaurants, and tourism-related businesses in reducing plastic consumption and managing waste properly. Approximately 89% of marine waste in the Caribbean comes from land-based sources, and half of this plastic waste is single-use packaging.

Source: Dominican Today