This is not rubbish, says TUI
Two-thirds of refuse left behind on the beach is recyclable, TUI Travel has found.
As part of the Travel Foundation’s Make Holidays Greener month, TUI staff in resort took part in a beach clean at Laganas on the Greek island of Zakynthos.
Called the Big Beach Clean, the initiative cleared 3,000 litres of rubbish in two hours.
Of this, two-thirds was recyclable, the volunteers found.
Following the event, a number of the local businesses that participated have offered to provide funding to install recycling bins on the beach.
TUI said the exercise also raised awareness among beach goers and locals about the beach’s National Marine Park and the sensitivity of the delicate eco systems it protects.
The area surrounding the beach is home to marine life including dolphins, seals and loggerhead turtles.
The initiative was one of many organised by TUI for Make Holidays Greener month.
Others included promoting the event on flights, cruises, shops and resorts and encouraging customers to get out and about on their next holiday by visiting the local town, buying locally-produced souvenirs or trying the local delicacy.
Jane Ashton, group director of sustainable development at TUI Travel, said: "From a sustainable development perspective, we need to integrate environmental and social principles into the way we do business and we have been facing up to this challenge for over a decade.
"Make Holidays Greener month is a fantastic way to raise awareness of sustainability issues and initiatives such as the Big Beach Clean in Zante are a great example of teams from across TUI Travel and beyond working together to achieve our goals. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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