1.1 INTRODUCTION
Can we say that plastic is disposable yet it lasts for centuries without truly disappearing? Plastic was invented to make life easier but it is now one of the biggest threats to life on earth.
People say that some people are responsible for collecting the plastics but what they are yet to figure out is that we are the ones responsible over the environment we would like the future generations to have. In the tourism, hospitality and conservation industry plastics have caused damages which include: pollution of the natural, wildlife and beach ecosystems, it also affects waste management costs in the hospitality industry.
My discussion is based on plastic pollution in Kenya. We will get to explore on how we have neglected our environment thinking that the government is responsible for it and yet the responsibility falls on our shoulders.
2.1 PERSONAL LOCAL STORY
I have seen people throw out plastic bottles, sweet wrappers, plastic cups from a moving vehicles or in their normal working environments. These plastics are carried by rain water to drainage systems for example rivers, lakes and oceans which bring environmental hazards such as water pollution and this water is drank by wildlife, human beings and supports marine life.
Sea turtles have been found swallowing plastic bags as they often mistake them for jellyfish which later blocks their digestive systems causing death.
3.1 THE CHALLENGE
People have become ignorant in matters concerning the environment, in this case people are okay with littering anywhere without thinking of the possible damage that that single plastic bottle can cause. It is sad that we brought this problem to ourselves. We think plastic makes life easier but we are not aware of what the future generations will face. Thousands of people trashing rivers, road sides, protected areas; yet they do not know that it takes hundreds of years to eradicate one single plastic. It doesn't completely break down. Instead, it turns into tiny pieces called microplastics that end up polluting our water and soil. Over time, these microplastics make their way into the food we eat and the water we drink, affecting all of us. Out of the large population that we have very few of us really care about the environment; this is why it is hard to stop the plastic pollution in our field.
4.1 SOLUTIONS AND INNOVATIONS
Discouraging the use of single use bottles by encouraging tourists or your fellow Kenyans to use reusable bottles.
Hotels and other organizations should opt for refillable containers that would help reduce the rate of waste disposal.
Destinations should embrace recycling of plastics like the example shown below in Giraffe Centre.
The government should organize more regular clean-ups at the beaches, parks, forests, rivers, lakes and other tourist’s destinations.
Tourism destinations and hotels should practice sustainability practices such as water refilling points instead of selling bottled water
The government can opt to introduce machines that receive plastic wastes and reward people with a few coins for returning used plastic bottles. This has been tested and proven to be effective in Germany as shown below.
5.1 CALL TO ACTION
The future generations depend on us to take action and it`s not a one-man job but together we are the ones to make the change to save our country, protect our wildlife, preserve our tourist destinations and create a cleaner, safer Kenya.
The question is not whether we will stop plastic pollution, the question is when will we stop plastic pollution before it`s too late for us to act.
6.1 CONCLUSION
Plastic-free tourism is the commitment to protecting wildlife, beaches and destinations that make the hospitality, tourism and conservation industries to operate smoothly.
In conclusion I can say TOGETHER WE CAN REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION.
Change begins with one person but it takes a village to actualize.
PREPARED BY: ESTHER NJERI MACHARIA DATE : 1ST JULY 2026