DoT advocates zero waste management in hotels, resorts

In its commitment to preserve the environment and protect the country’s natural resources, the Department of Tourism (DoT) recently organized a forum on zero waste management for hotels and resorts, in coordination with the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and Greenpeace International.

Jayakumar Chelaton, representative from Thanal Conservation Action and Information Network, an environmental NGO based in Kerala, India, spoke about the success of the zero waste approach in India.

According to Chelaton, the zero waste project rooted on ecology has helped restore the popularity of Kovalam, a once famous tourist attraction in India that has become a dumping site of waste by visitors.

"Pollution and garbage are a real turn off to tourists and even to the local residents. Waste-free tourism will certainly do well for the environment and assist in attracting more people, both local and foreign tourists, in patronizing the country’s tourist destinations," said Chelaton.

The Kovalam zero waste program includes the phasing out of plastics and the use of environment friendly materials, controlled dumping, poison-free farming, water conservation and environmental awareness.

Soda companies and the like are encouraged to collect all used tin cans, plastic bottles and glasses and styrofoam for recycling. The building of a biogas plant for managing biodegradable waste is also used in generating power and electricity thus, reducing the usage of natural gas.

Kovalam is also practicing segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable items and has a resource recovery center for recycling.

DoT Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Evelyn B. Pantig said that if the system worked in India it should also work in the Philippines.

She encouraged both the government and the private sectors to address the pollution and garbage problems. "As what has been shared to us by the Indian government, the success of zero waste management in Kovalam is the living example that tourism waste can be managed in a healthy manner without dumps and pollutants that turn tourists away," said Pantig.

She also added that in Boracay Island, the Philippine Tourism Authority (the infrastructure arm of DoT) has already installed pipelines for potable water, toilets, and a sanitation and sewerage system. She said that this will help prevent the spread of diseases caused by pollution, thereby keeping the beauty of the world-renowned island.