Tourism Waste Management in the European Union: Lessons Learned from Four Popular EU Tourist Destinations
Affiliation(s)
1 Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, City Campus-South, Wolverhampton, UK. 2 Royal Haskoning DHV UK Ltd., Honey Comb, Liverpool, UK. 3 School of Sciences and Technology, The University of Northampton, Northampton, UK.
1 Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, City Campus-South, Wolverhampton, UK. 2 Royal Haskoning DHV UK Ltd., Honey Comb, Liverpool, UK. 3 School of Sciences and Technology, The University of Northampton, Northampton, UK.
ABSTRACT
From a sustainability perspective, achieving greater efficiencies in environmental waste management is at the heart of current academic discussion on climate change science. Over the last few decades the tourism industry has developed exponentially and is now considered one of the most dynamic economic activities worldwide. Solid waste is a commonly identified and ever increasing aspect of tourism; the improper management of which can lead to substantial and irreversible direct and indirect environmental, economic and social impacts. However, the management of solid waste in tourism dominated island communities is particularly problematic due to climatic conditions, topography, financial restraints, planning issues, changing consumption patterns, transient population, and seasonal variations in solid waste quantity and composition. In addition, there is often a lack of momentum to implement new initiatives and programs as stakeholders involved in the design, construction and operation of tourist resorts have conflicts of interest. Using information gathered from key informant interviews, participation observations and literature reviews, this article appraises current waste management practices in four European tourist destinations, namely: Mallorca, Tenerife, Kefalonia and Rhodes. Findings indicate that, although there are signs of compliance with global best practice, a variety of locally-based measures need to be implemented to enhance sustainability.
From a sustainability perspective, achieving greater efficiencies in environmental waste management is at the heart of current academic discussion on climate change science. Over the last few decades the tourism industry has developed exponentially and is now considered one of the most dynamic economic activities worldwide. Solid waste is a commonly identified and ever increasing aspect of tourism; the improper management of which can lead to substantial and irreversible direct and indirect environmental, economic and social impacts. However, the management of solid waste in tourism dominated island communities is particularly problematic due to climatic conditions, topography, financial restraints, planning issues, changing consumption patterns, transient population, and seasonal variations in solid waste quantity and composition. In addition, there is often a lack of momentum to implement new initiatives and programs as stakeholders involved in the design, construction and operation of tourist resorts have conflicts of interest. Using information gathered from key informant interviews, participation observations and literature reviews, this article appraises current waste management practices in four European tourist destinations, namely: Mallorca, Tenerife, Kefalonia and Rhodes. Findings indicate that, although there are signs of compliance with global best practice, a variety of locally-based measures need to be implemented to enhance sustainability.
KEYWORDS
Waste Management, Tourist Destination, Island Communities, European Union, Greenhouse Gas Emission
Waste Management, Tourist Destination, Island Communities, European Union, Greenhouse Gas Emission
Cite this paper
Ezeah, C. , Fazakerley, J. and Byrne, T. (2015) Tourism Waste Management in the European Union: Lessons Learned from Four Popular EU Tourist Destinations. American Journal of Climate Change, 4, 431-445. doi: 10.4236/ajcc.2015.45035.
Ezeah, C. , Fazakerley, J. and Byrne, T. (2015) Tourism Waste Management in the European Union: Lessons Learned from Four Popular EU Tourist Destinations. American Journal of Climate Change, 4, 431-445. doi: 10.4236/ajcc.2015.45035.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2003.10.007 [8] Denafas, G., Ruzgas, T., Martuzevicus, D., Shmarin, S., Hoffmann, M., Mykhaylenko, V., Ogorodnik, S., Romanov, M., Neguliaeva, E., Chusov, A., Turkadze, T., Bochoidze, I. and Ludwig, C. (2014) Seasonal Variation of Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Composition in Four East European Cities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 89, 22-30.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.06.001 [9] Kariminia, S., Ahmad, S.S. and Hashim, R. (2012) Assessment of Antarctic Tourism Waste Disposal and Management Strategies towards a Sustainable Ecosystem. Procedia—Social and Behavioural Sciences, 68, 723-734.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.262 [10] Shamshiry, E., Nadi, B., Bin Mokhtar, M., Komoo, I., Saadiah Hashim, H. and Yahaya, N. (2011) Integrated Models for Solid Waste Management in Tourism Regions: Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2011, Article ID: 709549.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/709549 [11] Von Bertrab, A., Hernandez, J.D., Macht, A. and Rodriguez, M. (2009) Public-Private Partnerships as a Means to Consolidate Integrated Solid Waste Management Initiatives in Tourism Destinations: The Case of the Mexican Caribbean.
http://www.iswa.org/uploads/tx_iswaknowledgebase/3-340paper_long.pdf [12] McDevitt, C. (2008) Sustainable Waste Management within the British Virgin Islands.
http://www.globalislands.net/userfiles/bvi_2.pdf [13] Xin, T.K. and Chan, J.K. (2014) Tour Operator Perspectives on Responsible Tourism Indicators of Kinabalu National Park, Sabah. Procedia—Social and Behavioural Sciences, 144, 25-34.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.270 [14] De Cantis, S., Parroco, A.M., Ferrante, M. and Vaccina, F. (2014) Unobserved Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 50, 1-18.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.10.002 [15] Chen, M.C., Ruijs, A. and Wesseler, J. (2005) Solid Waste Management on Small Islands: The Case of Green Island, Taiwan. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 45, 31-47.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2004.12.005 [16] German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (2010) Sustainable Waste Management in the Tourism Sector of the Mexican Caribbean.
http://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/24475.html [17] World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2005) ITC-Welcomegroup Hotels—A Green Model for Eco-Tourism.
http://www.wbcsd.org/web/publications/case/itc_gsc_full_case_final_web.pdf [18] Papachristou, E. and Chatziaggelou, H. (1991) Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste of Rhodes, AUTH. [19] Gidarakos, E., Havas, G. and Ntzamilis, P. (2005) Municipal Solid Waste Composition Determination Supporting the Integrated Solid Waste Management System in the Island of Crete. Waste Management, 26, 668-679.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.07.018 [20] Hitachi Zosen Inova (2011) Mallorca/Spain: Energy from Waste Plant.
http://www.hz-inova.com/cms/images/stories/pictures/download/hzi_ref_mallorca_en.pdf [21] Byrne, T. (Ed.) (2012) Waste Collection and Transfer in Touristic Locations from a Practical Perspective. D-Waste, Athens.
http://www.d-waste.com/reports/waste-collection-and-transfer-in-touristic-locations-from-a-practical-perspective2012-09-05-13-36-45_-detail.html#.UyxGb4XPvbo [22] TIRME (2014) Overview of Processes at TIRME WTE Facility.
http://www.yokogawa.com/success/newenergy/suc-TIRME.htm [23] ONWASTE (2013) Changing the Face of Waste on Mallorca.
http://www.onwaste.com/images/stories/residuos/recogida_transporte/waste_mallorca.pdf [24] Zero Waste Europe (2012) Mallorca; Sun & Waste!
http://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2012/11/mallorca-sun-waste-the-sunny-and-shady-sides-of-zero-waste/ [25] INTEREMPRESAS (2013) Marcos Gorrin Linares Manages the Collected of Waste in Tenerife.
http://www.interempresas.net/Recycling/News/108120-Marcos-Gorrin-Linares-manages-collected-waste-in-Tenerife.html [26] ONWASTE (2013) Tenerife’s Trash, Trucks and Transfer Stations.
http://www.onwaste.com/images/stories/residuos/recogida_transporte/RWW_757_Tenerife.pdf [27] Mark Allen Group (2011) Tenerife’s Trash, Trucks and Transfer Stations. Recycling and Waste World Magazine, June, 4. [28] ONWASTE (2013) Marcos Gorrin Linares Manages Waste Collection on the Island of Tenerife.
http://www.onwaste.com/images/stories/residuos/recogida_transporte/marcos_gorrin_linares.pdf [29] Penwell (2013) Case Study—Waste Collection on the Island of Kefalonia.
http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/2013/12/case-study-waste-collection-on-the-island-of-kefalonia.html [30] Faversham House Group (2014) From One Island to Another. Local Authority Waste and Recycling Magazine, February, 12-13. [31] INTEREMPRESAS (2013) A Examen el Sistema de Recogida de Residuos en la isla de Cefalonia (Grecia).
http://www.interempresas.net/Equipamiento_Municipal/Articulos/115468-A-examen-el-sistema-de-recogida-de-residuos-en-la-isla-de-Cefalonia-%28Grecia%29.html [32] Zein, K., Wazner, M.S. and Meylan, G. (2008) Best Environmental Practices for the Hotel Industry [WWW Document]. Sustainable Business Associates.
http://www.sbaint.ch/spec/sba/download/BGH/SBABGEHOTELLERIEENG2008.pdf [33] Perme (Environmental Transport Ltd). Accessed on 23 March 2014.
http://www.perme.gr/index.php?cPath=45&sess=da784687d655dd065d0a573cd0041740 [34] Hellenic Environmental Systems Industry (2007) Services.
http://www.helesi.com/english/services_gb.html [35] Remolador, M.A. (2011) Guide to Greening Hotels through Waste Management & Green Purchasing.
http://nerc.org/documents/green_hotels_guide.pdf [36] United Nations Environment Programme (2003) A Manual for Water and Waste Management: What the Tourism Industry Can Do to Improve Its Performance.
http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/pdf/WEBx0015xPA-WaterWaste.pdf [37] Radwan, H.R., Jones, E. and Minoli, D. (2010) Managing Solid Waste in Small Hotels. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18, 175-190.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09669580903373946
[1] Hall, D. (2010) Waste Management in Europe: Framework, Trends and Issues. Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU).
http://brecht.tttp.eu/IMG/pdf/it_10_2010-02_Waste_trends-3.pdf [2] Santamarta, J.C., Rodríguez-Martín, J., Paz Arraiza, M.P. and López, J.V. (2014) Waste Problem and Management in Insular and Isolated Systems. Case Study in the Canary Islands (Spain). IERI Procedia, 9, 162-167.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ieri.2014.09.057 [3] Willmott, L. and Graci, S.R. (2012) Solid Waste Management in Small Island Destinations: A Case Study of Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. TEOROS, Special Issue, 71-76. [4] Denafas, G., Ruzgas, T., Martuzevicus, D., Shmarin, S., Hoffmann, M., Mykhaylenko, V., Ogorodnik, S., Romanov, M., Neguliaeva, E., Chusov, A., Turkadze, T., Bochoidze, I. and Ludwig, C. (2014) Seasonal Variation of Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Composition in Four East European Cities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 89, 22-30.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.06.001 [5] Pirani, S.I. and Arafat, H.A. (2014) Solid Waste Management in the Hospitality Industry: A Review. Journal of Environmental Management, 146, 320-336.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.07.038 [6] Mateu-Sbert, J., Ricci-Cabello, I., Villalonga-Olives, E. and Cabeza-Irigoyen, E. (2013) The Impact of Tourism on Municipal Solid Waste Generation: The Case of Menorca Island (Spain). Waste Management, 33, 2589-2593.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.08.007 [7] Skordilis, A. (2004) Modelling of Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems in an Island. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 41, 243-254.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2003.10.007 [8] Denafas, G., Ruzgas, T., Martuzevicus, D., Shmarin, S., Hoffmann, M., Mykhaylenko, V., Ogorodnik, S., Romanov, M., Neguliaeva, E., Chusov, A., Turkadze, T., Bochoidze, I. and Ludwig, C. (2014) Seasonal Variation of Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Composition in Four East European Cities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 89, 22-30.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.06.001 [9] Kariminia, S., Ahmad, S.S. and Hashim, R. (2012) Assessment of Antarctic Tourism Waste Disposal and Management Strategies towards a Sustainable Ecosystem. Procedia—Social and Behavioural Sciences, 68, 723-734.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.262 [10] Shamshiry, E., Nadi, B., Bin Mokhtar, M., Komoo, I., Saadiah Hashim, H. and Yahaya, N. (2011) Integrated Models for Solid Waste Management in Tourism Regions: Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2011, Article ID: 709549.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/709549 [11] Von Bertrab, A., Hernandez, J.D., Macht, A. and Rodriguez, M. (2009) Public-Private Partnerships as a Means to Consolidate Integrated Solid Waste Management Initiatives in Tourism Destinations: The Case of the Mexican Caribbean.
http://www.iswa.org/uploads/tx_iswaknowledgebase/3-340paper_long.pdf [12] McDevitt, C. (2008) Sustainable Waste Management within the British Virgin Islands.
http://www.globalislands.net/userfiles/bvi_2.pdf [13] Xin, T.K. and Chan, J.K. (2014) Tour Operator Perspectives on Responsible Tourism Indicators of Kinabalu National Park, Sabah. Procedia—Social and Behavioural Sciences, 144, 25-34.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.270 [14] De Cantis, S., Parroco, A.M., Ferrante, M. and Vaccina, F. (2014) Unobserved Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 50, 1-18.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.10.002 [15] Chen, M.C., Ruijs, A. and Wesseler, J. (2005) Solid Waste Management on Small Islands: The Case of Green Island, Taiwan. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 45, 31-47.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2004.12.005 [16] German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (2010) Sustainable Waste Management in the Tourism Sector of the Mexican Caribbean.
http://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/24475.html [17] World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2005) ITC-Welcomegroup Hotels—A Green Model for Eco-Tourism.
http://www.wbcsd.org/web/publications/case/itc_gsc_full_case_final_web.pdf [18] Papachristou, E. and Chatziaggelou, H. (1991) Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste of Rhodes, AUTH. [19] Gidarakos, E., Havas, G. and Ntzamilis, P. (2005) Municipal Solid Waste Composition Determination Supporting the Integrated Solid Waste Management System in the Island of Crete. Waste Management, 26, 668-679.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.07.018 [20] Hitachi Zosen Inova (2011) Mallorca/Spain: Energy from Waste Plant.
http://www.hz-inova.com/cms/images/stories/pictures/download/hzi_ref_mallorca_en.pdf [21] Byrne, T. (Ed.) (2012) Waste Collection and Transfer in Touristic Locations from a Practical Perspective. D-Waste, Athens.
http://www.d-waste.com/reports/waste-collection-and-transfer-in-touristic-locations-from-a-practical-perspective2012-09-05-13-36-45_-detail.html#.UyxGb4XPvbo [22] TIRME (2014) Overview of Processes at TIRME WTE Facility.
http://www.yokogawa.com/success/newenergy/suc-TIRME.htm [23] ONWASTE (2013) Changing the Face of Waste on Mallorca.
http://www.onwaste.com/images/stories/residuos/recogida_transporte/waste_mallorca.pdf [24] Zero Waste Europe (2012) Mallorca; Sun & Waste!
http://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2012/11/mallorca-sun-waste-the-sunny-and-shady-sides-of-zero-waste/ [25] INTEREMPRESAS (2013) Marcos Gorrin Linares Manages the Collected of Waste in Tenerife.
http://www.interempresas.net/Recycling/News/108120-Marcos-Gorrin-Linares-manages-collected-waste-in-Tenerife.html [26] ONWASTE (2013) Tenerife’s Trash, Trucks and Transfer Stations.
http://www.onwaste.com/images/stories/residuos/recogida_transporte/RWW_757_Tenerife.pdf [27] Mark Allen Group (2011) Tenerife’s Trash, Trucks and Transfer Stations. Recycling and Waste World Magazine, June, 4. [28] ONWASTE (2013) Marcos Gorrin Linares Manages Waste Collection on the Island of Tenerife.
http://www.onwaste.com/images/stories/residuos/recogida_transporte/marcos_gorrin_linares.pdf [29] Penwell (2013) Case Study—Waste Collection on the Island of Kefalonia.
http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/2013/12/case-study-waste-collection-on-the-island-of-kefalonia.html [30] Faversham House Group (2014) From One Island to Another. Local Authority Waste and Recycling Magazine, February, 12-13. [31] INTEREMPRESAS (2013) A Examen el Sistema de Recogida de Residuos en la isla de Cefalonia (Grecia).
http://www.interempresas.net/Equipamiento_Municipal/Articulos/115468-A-examen-el-sistema-de-recogida-de-residuos-en-la-isla-de-Cefalonia-%28Grecia%29.html [32] Zein, K., Wazner, M.S. and Meylan, G. (2008) Best Environmental Practices for the Hotel Industry [WWW Document]. Sustainable Business Associates.
http://www.sbaint.ch/spec/sba/download/BGH/SBABGEHOTELLERIEENG2008.pdf [33] Perme (Environmental Transport Ltd). Accessed on 23 March 2014.
http://www.perme.gr/index.php?cPath=45&sess=da784687d655dd065d0a573cd0041740 [34] Hellenic Environmental Systems Industry (2007) Services.
http://www.helesi.com/english/services_gb.html [35] Remolador, M.A. (2011) Guide to Greening Hotels through Waste Management & Green Purchasing.
http://nerc.org/documents/green_hotels_guide.pdf [36] United Nations Environment Programme (2003) A Manual for Water and Waste Management: What the Tourism Industry Can Do to Improve Its Performance.
http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/pdf/WEBx0015xPA-WaterWaste.pdf [37] Radwan, H.R., Jones, E. and Minoli, D. (2010) Managing Solid Waste in Small Hotels. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18, 175-190.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09669580903373946