Sierra Leone Circular Economy in Plastics for Sustainable Tourism and Economic Diversification: Single-Use Plastic Reduction Guidelines for Hotels and Restaurants

The production of plastic boomed over the last century due to its benefits as being cost-effective, lightweight, easy to make, durable, and recyclable. However, the amounts of plastic waste generated during this period have become a significant environmental problem and a global challenge. Only 15% of plastic waste generated has been recycled worldwide, while large amounts of plastic products end up in the oceans, ecosystems, and landfill sites. When discarded in landfills or the open environment, conventional plastic can take up to a thousand years to decompose.The tourism and travel industry has been recognized as one of the most significant generators of waste, especially with the single-use plastic products used during a tourist’s journey. Consequently, there is a loud global call to action for the tourism industry to reduce the demand for single-use plastic products, reduce non-essential use and promote reusable alternatives.