MODERNIZATION
TURNING TRASH INTO TREASURE
ORANJESTAD, ARUBA
When you travel to island destinations, think about how your single-use plastic containers affect the environment. A company in Aruba has crafted a path for discarded plastic that does not lead to the ocean or a landfill.
What's
changing
A recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated that visitors generate nearly twice as much waste as residents when they travel. When this behavior happens on an island with limited landfill and disposal capabilities, local communities and governments are left holding the (plastic) bag and must solve the problem after visitors have headed home.
What's already
possible
In Aruba, a country in the southern Caribbean Sea, an organization called Plastic Beach Party is tackling waste with circular economy principles that turn trash into souvenirs and other products. The greatest source of waste in Aruba is single-use water bottles, despite tap water on the island being safe to drink.
Seizing
the opportunity
The organization collects plastic waste, washes it, shreds it and melts it into sheets using a crowdfunded "Precious Plastic" machine. These sheets are used to make new products like park benches, trashcans, souvenirs, bean bags, competition trophies and more. Plastic Beach Party’s clients include hotels, businesses and residents. They also consult with businesses on how to reduce plastic consumption and research the negative effect that plastics have on the environment through microplastic pollution, air quality contaminants and ocean acidification.
Standout
tactic
The organization does not recycle plastic for free. The drop-off charge depends on weight and rates differ for businesses, households and visitors. Washed plastic costs less to drop off. Volunteers with the organization get further reduced fees.
How
it helps
The organization has recycled 26.47 tons (24,021 kilograms) of plastic, which has reduced carbon dioxide emissions on Aruba by 179 tons. Artisans have crafted more than 4,500 products with the recycled plastic sheets. The organization also manages blue recycling bins at beaches popular with tourists to encourage recycling habits.
Diving
deeper
Though solutions like this buy time to tackle longer term disposal and consumption issues, what happens to new products made from recycled plastic when they reach the end of their lives? How can a destination start now to remove plastics wherever possible and stop contributing to plastic and waste problems?
Increasing
impact
Too few hotels in most destinations, including Aruba, recycle. More hotels may participate if guests expect them to enact environmentally-friendly practices. When you check in, ask if recycling is available in the room or on the property.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
