St. Lucia’s renowned sister resorts, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, have recently joined the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative acts as the tourism sector interface of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which unites more than 450 businesses, governments, and other organizations to address plastic waste and pollution at its source with a goal of reducing the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced.
Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet join major hotel corporations such as Accor, Club Med, and Iberostar Group, in being among the first tourism companies to pledge their elimination of unnecessary plastics and promote a circularity in the use of necessary plastics. As signatories of the initiative, the properties commit to eliminating the use of unnecessary plastics by 2025, selecting products made with recyclable materials as opposed to single-use plastics, innovating so all necessary plastics can be safely reused, recycled, or composted, and circulating necessary plastic items so they remain within the economy and out of the environment.
“The natural environment, ocean, local flora, and fauna are such an integral part of the experience our properties offer,” said the resorts’ Sustainability Ambassador Carl Hunter. We have always gotten our guests involved in the sustainable practices at Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, from tree-planting and tours of our organic farm to leading invasive lionfish hunting experiences, PADI Dive Against Debris® activities, and tours of our facilities where guests can witness our sustainable practices firsthand. Our commitment to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative will be no different, as we will continue to educate guests about the importance of reducing plastic waste and make their experience doing so seamless while visiting our properties.”
“Despite being in a global pandemic, we can’t can forget about the importance of sustainable practices in tourism,” said the resorts’ Executive Director Karolin Troubetzkoy. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to reduce the use of plastics and educate our guests and employees on the importance of protecting our environment. With tourism being such a key factor for the local economies of St. Lucia and its neighbouring Caribbean nations, we encourage all businesses within the sector to follow our example and get involved.”