European package holidays firm TUI Group this week launched a new plastic reduction playbook that aims to curb single-use plastics and microplastic pollution across its portfolio.
The new ‘TUI Hotels & Resorts Plastic Reduction Guidelines’, unveiled on Wednesday, is expected to be applied at more than 430 hotels, and will emphasise “avoid, reuse, replace” solutions for plastics used in guest rooms, restaurants, spas and kids’ clubs.
TUI said it has reduced plastic by 19% per guest overnight stay within its own hotel portfolio since 2022.
It proposes more than simply swapping materials, and it will instead push hotels to adopt reusable systems, and also track progress by monitoring weights.
Some practical examples are already in place include a pilot of bottle-filling stations at a resort in Cabo Verde, which TUI estimates will save around 300,000 plastic bottles annually.
Elsewhere, 16 TUI Hotels & Resorts in Turkey have cut water-bottle consumption by 34% in two years thanks to the addition of more than 300 on-site purification devices.
TUI added that it is also extending the use of microfibre filters from the Cleaner Seas Group for laundry operations at its hotels, with the initiatives building on work via the Marella Cruises fleet and a six-month trial on the Mein Schiff 3 ship.
The Clearner Seas filters capture up to 99% of microfibres released during washing, for closed-loop recycling. The first hotel installs have been completed at two resorts in the Maldives, and ten more will be slated for the Mediterranean by year-end.
"Reducing plastic pollution benefits local communities, our company and marine biodiversity," said Thomas Ellerbeck, TUI chief sustainability officer.
"With the new plastic reduction guidelines and the introduction of microfibre filters in our hotels, we are creating real benefits – for people, for nature and for the future of TUI."
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How much single-use plastic has TUI reduced per guest night?
TUI Group estimates a 19% reduction in single-use plastic per guest overnight stay since 2022 across its own hotel portfolio.
Where is TUI installing microfibre laundry filters in hotels?
TUI Group has installed INDIKON microfibre filters at two Robinson Clubs in the Maldives, with ten more hotel installations planned in the Mediterranean by year-end.
What reusable water measures are guests likely to see at TUI hotels?
TUI Group is piloting bottle-filling stations at ROBINSON Cabo Verde and has deployed over 300 purification devices in Türkiye, cutting water-bottle use by 34% in two years.
