Source: Announcement
According to a statement from the Pancyprian Hoteliers Association, pilot tourist accommodations in Cyprus, Greece, and Malta have successfully reduced their use and disposal of single-use plastics through the SUPMed project.
Working together under the project name "Reducing the consumption and disposal of single-use plastics in the tourism industry in Cyprus, Greece, and Malta," also known as "SUPMed," partners from Cyprus, Greece, and Malta have been doing so since July 2020. In accordance with EU Directive 2019/904, the project offered creative and environmentally friendly solutions for tourism facilities to quickly reduce the consumption, disposal, and impact of single-use plastics (SUP) in the tourism sector in these three regions (on the reduction of the impact of plastic products).
Through a pilot project, the ten tourist lodging facilities in Cyprus, Greece, and Malta implemented these solutions. The methodology, the contribution of the pilot tourist facilities, the effects of single-use plastics on the environment and human health, and other pertinent information are provided in the Best Practice Guide, according to PASYXE, who also noted that the results "confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed recommendations and the overall success of the project."
In a statement, PASYXE said that the project's outcomes and deliverables "can benefit tourism establishments across Europe, helping them to reduce their consumption and disposal of single-use plastics, and guiding their transition towards a more environmentally sustainable management." Additionally, it claims that the project will aid in making sure that their operations adhere to the rules set forth in EU legislation regarding the use of single-use plastics (SUP).
The project's three primary deliverables were a decision-making tool (DST), customized action plans, and a best practices manual, according to PASYXE.
Through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Regional Cooperation, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are providing funding for the project, which has a total budget of €1,279,405 and will run until June 2023. The project's six partners are Aspon Consulting Ltd, the lead partner, Cellock Ltd, the Pancyprian Hotel Association, the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anelixis Development Consultants S.S.A., and AIS Environment, all from Greece, Cyprus, Cyprus, and Malta.
The partners will assist coastal tourist accommodations in Cyprus, Malta, and Greece (Crete) through the project's implementation by developing pilot applications for the switch to sustainable business models. These models will determine which single-use plastics are most frequently used and replace them with more cost-effective, easily accessible, and environmentally friendly options in each participating tourist accommodation.
Grand Resort, Atlantica Mare Village Ayia Napa, Radisson Blue Hotel, and The Royal Apollonia in Cyprus, Elounda Palm Hotel & Suites, Infinity Blue Boutique Hotel & Spa, and Paralos Lifestyle Beach in Crete, and Hilton Malta, 1926 Hotel & Spa, and Mellieha Holiday Centre in Malta make up the ten tourist accommodations - hotels taking part in the project's pilot sample by region.
