Accor has committed to join the UN Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and remove all single-use plastic items from its hotels by the end of 2022.
In addition to its previous commitment to eliminate all plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds, Accor will remove individual plastic toiletry amenities and cups by the end of 2020 and will eliminate all remaining single-use plastic items in guestrooms, meeting areas, restaurants and leisure activities areas by the end of 2022.
Welcoming over 120 million guests each year across its global portfolio, Accor said it takes its role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously.
“We are aware of the significant impact we have on our planet and our responsibility to create tangible benefits for our employees, guests, suppliers, partners and host communities,” said Accor chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin.
“What guides us is the consciousness and social awareness that drives every person who strives to be a good citizen. It’s about being aware, socially conscious and consistent.”
The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, aims to build a global alliance to fight plastic pollution.
“Plastic pollution is one of the major environmental challenges of our time, and tourism has an important role to play in contributing to the solution,” said UN Environment Programme economy division director Ligia Noronha.
“Through the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, tourism companies and destinations are supported to innovate, eliminate, innovate and circulate the way they use plastics, to advance circularity in our economies and reduce plastics pollution globally.”
Single-use plastics are defined as disposable items that are used only once and then discarded.
Examples include plastic straws, cotton buds, coffee stirrers, plastic cups, plastic bags for laundry or extra pillows, plastic water bottles, all plastic packaging (for food, welcome products, etc), plastic take-away dishes and tableware, welcome products (toiletries, slippers, pencils, etc) and plastic key cards.
Accor will propose relevant alternatives to each single-use plastic item, considering Life Cycle Assessments to ensure better environmental performance for the solution.
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