News

Berlin, 02 January 2025

Combating waste in small island destinations - TUI Care Foundation launches new Destination Zero Waste Programme in Mauritius

  • Programme aims to reduce waste by creating awareness in schools as well as connecting tourism stakeholders with organisations offering recycling and upcycling solutions
  • Initiative in partnership with the Tourism Authority of the Republic of Mauritius strengthens investments into the island’s waste management infrastructure
  • Launch of the programme during a 3-day workshop held under the UN Environment Programme’s Global Tourism Plastics Initiative to train trainers to disseminate knowledge and skills for the reduction of plastic usage

Berlin, 2nd January 2025. Mauritius, an island destination renowned for its natural beauty and vibrant marine life, is facing challenges with littering and waste accumulation. Despite ongoing efforts, negative attitudes towards improper waste disposal and management continue to threaten the island’s pristine environment. Now the TUI Care Foundation has partnered with the Tourism Authority of the Republic of Mauritius to tackle waste and promote a change in mindset towards a circular economy. By employing a multi-faceted approach involving the local community and visitors, the initiative combines awareness campaigns, a sustainability curriculum, and infrastructural improvements. The Destination Zero Waste Programme aims to foster a cleaner, more sustainable Mauritius, preserving the island’s natural beauty for future generations.

The first pillar of the initiative is awareness, which includes launching public campaigns on the impact of littering across social media, radio and TV. The programme particularly focuses on the next generation, with children participating in lessons on environmental stewardship, waste management, and the consequences of littering. This is made possible through partnerships with the network of eco schools across the island. To maximise impact, local communities will be mobilised through clean-up events with over 100 partnerships with businesses, NGOs and organisations established to support these efforts. Local stakeholders representing the Mauritian tourism industry will have the opportunity to take part in custom-designed Discovery Tours, followed by co-creation workshops to get to know and engage with NGOs, artisans and businesses that breathe new life into waste by upcycling them into high quality products.

Destination Zero Waste Programme Mauritius also contributes to the island’s waste management infrastructure. This includes the installation of segregated bins and 2,000 beach ashtrays. The programme collects plastic and glass waste across public beaches and tourist sites, with at least 90% of this going to recycling.

The launch of the programme coincided with a 3-day workshop held in Mauritius in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme for the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Over 80 participants representing the public and private tourism sectors gathered on the first day to enhance their capacity in reducing single-use plastics and food waste. The event was officiated by the UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Mrs. Lisa Simrique Singh and concluded with remarks from the Minister for Tourism for the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Sydney Pierre.

Alexander Panczuk, Executive Director of the TUI Care Foundation: “Island destinations like Mauritius are particularly vulnerable to the challenges of waste management. Our initiative supports the vision of Mauritius becoming a plastic free destination. This commitment extends beyond just preserving the island’s unique biodiversity. It also fosters economic growth and social well-being for coastal communities. Through the Destination Zero Waste Programme, we aim to inspire a collective effort, ensuring that everyone plays a part in waste reduction.“

The partnership is part of the Destination Zero Waste Programme, which inspires new ways to reduce and reuse waste in tourism destinations that create jobs and promote a circular economy. The Programme is implemented in destinations around the world, including Curacao, Jamaica, Zanzibar and Cyprus.

FOLLOW
TRITON!

Turtle1
Your decision – your user experience at tuicarefoundation.com

We use cookies and other technologies that are necessary for services and functions on our website.

In addition, and provided you consent and select "Agree", we and our up to five third-party partners may place cookies on your device, use other technologies and collect and process personal data [e.g. IP address] from you in order to suggest personalized content to you on our website and to carry out measurements and analyses. Data transfer to third countries [e.g. USA] may also be possible, where the EU data protection level may deviate and access by authorities there cannot be ruled out.

You can find more information under "Settings" and decide which cookies and which cookie-based processing of your data you wish to reject or accept. Further information about cookies can be found in the Cookie Notice.

Managing your cookie settings

Use the "Status" control to decide for yourself which cookies we are allowed to set. Save your settings by clicking the "Agree" button.

You can change these settings at any time. You can find further information about the processing of your data in our Privacy Notice.

Cookies Description Status
Necessary Necessary Cookies are required for the app to function and cannot be switched off in your systems. We need necessary Cookies so that the service you request on our app functions properly and so that you can move around our app and use its functions, such as filling out forms. Cookie Notice
Statistics These Cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our app. They help us answer questions about which pages are most popular, which are least used and how visitors move around the app. If you allow statistical Cookies, we can use this aggregated information to improve our service and the usability of our websites for you. All information collected is aggregated and is therefore anonymous. This information may be transmitted to our partners such as Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Google Ireland Limited, Pinterest Europe Limited, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited (Privacy Notice) if you also agree under "Marketing". Cookie Notice