The LooP Zone project has launched a survey across its 5 pilot islands to better understand how the hospitality sector uses single-use plastics and what support businesses need to transition towards more sustainable practices.
Led by project partner Rezero, an expert in plastic waste prevention and reducing single-use products in the HORECA sector, this research marks an important step in building a clear picture of the current situation on the islands. The findings will help shape practical, tailored solutions that will support local businesses in reducing single-use plastics.
The survey targets a wide range of hospitality establishments, including hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, beach facilities, and catering services. Through a common methodology implemented by the LooP Zone pilot partners, participating businesses are invited to provide feedback on their current use of single-use plastic items such as cutlery, cups, bottles, straws, and food packaging, as well as procurement costs, attitudes towards reusable and alternative products, and their willingness to take part in future low-plastic initiatives.
Alongside the survey, selected hospitality representatives will participate in in-depth interviews to explore the opportunities and challenges of reducing single-use plastics in greater detail. Local waste management companies and municipal services will also be consulted to better understand the existing waste infrastructure and seasonal challenges faced by island communities.
The collected data will provide valuable insights into:
- the most commonly used single-use plastic products in the hospitality sector;
- the estimated volumes of plastic waste generated by different types of establishments;
- the level of awareness and readiness among businesses to adopt more sustainable solutions; and
- the main barriers to change, including costs, supply chains, customer expectations, and access to information.
These results will establish the project’s baseline and directly inform the design of future LooP Zone pilot actions. Based on the evidence gathered, the project will develop targeted interventions such as introducing reusable alternatives, providing staff training, and launching awareness campaigns to help hospitality businesses reduce their reliance on single-use plastics.
If you are a hospitality business operating on one of the LooP Zone pilot islands and have been invited to participate, we encourage you to complete the survey. Your contribution is essential to ensuring that future actions reflect the real needs of island businesses and support a practical, achievable transition towards a more circular and sustainable tourism sector.
By joining forces we combat plastic pollution and build a more resilient future for island communities.
