INSETE Handbook to Aid Greek Tourism Enterprises in Waste Management

Aiming to motivate all the more Greek tourism enterprises to implement environmentally friendly practices, the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) research department INSETE on Friday announced the launch of a handbook on “Recycling and Solid Waste Management”.

The newly-released guide aims to inform businesses, professionals and employees active in tourism about regulations on recycling, highlighting the benefits of green practices and at the same time encouraging tourism stakeholders towards the implementation of these practices with the use of effective educational material and appropriate tools.

According to INSETE, the Greek tourism sector can significantly increase its recycling rates from the current 20 percent to as much as 60 percent. INSETE goes on to note that there is also room for the sector to reduce organic waste, and stresses that tourism businesses can also play a leading role in raising awareness while benefitting from green activities.

Indicatively, the EU’s tourism sector produces 35 million tons of solid waste per year, or 7 percent of the total waste production of the services sector. The Greek hotel industry, together with the cruise sector, is estimated at producing 400,000-550,000 tons of solid waste with the average (per night per person) ranging from 1.7 to 2.5kg. F&B services, meanwhile, generate up to 650,000 tons a year.

According to experts, the implementation of existing EU waste legislation across all member states could reduce the cost of waste management by 72 billion euros per year by 2020, and at the same time create more than 400,000 jobs.

INSETE’s guide includes manuals on waste management and recycling aimed at hotel businesses, tourist transport companies, marinas and recreational craft services. It also includes educational material and tools on how to simplify recycling and waste management.