We’re all recycling more than we used to, which is great news! But have you ever thought about what that means? Or that recycling not only reduces waste, but also saves energy too?

Take a normal day, for example. Did you know that:

• Recycling a single aluminium saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.
• Recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to operate a 100-watt light bulb for three hours.
• Recycling a single plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a laptop for 48 hours.

The examples given here are based on commercially available modern products and appliances with average power consumption values.

Reducing and reusing waste and upcycling it into saleable products is where the TUI Care Foundation’s Destination Zero Waste programme comes in. It’s helping to tackle the global plastic and waste crisis by supporting innovative solutions and inspiring local communities and tourists to take action, particularly in island destinations. 

On the popular holiday island of Curaçao, plastic waste and pollution are challenging issues, with more plastic currently being imported than can be sustainably managed.  Add to that an overburdened landfill site, which is expected to reach capacity by 2025, and around 1200 metric tonnes of litter in the natural environment, with even more washing up on the shore from ocean currents. All of which has a devastating impact on wildlife like sea turtles, as well as on the destination and its local communities. 

TUI Care Foundation has teamed up with local social enterprise Green Phenix, to collect plastic waste and transform it into new, long-lasting products. Alongside this, it’s also creating accessible income opportunities for local people, as well as offering educational workshops to local school children to help them understand why recycling and upcycling are so important.

Find out more about Destination Zero Waste Curaçao here.