Sierra Leone Circular Economy in Plastics for Sustainable Tourism and Economic Diversification

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The tourism sector in Sierra Leone is identified as a significant contributor to plastic waste, particularly single-use plastics, which poses environmental challenges and necessitates a reduction strategy [9][10] - The guidelines aim to assist hotels and restaurants in Sierra Leone in developing their own single-use plastic reduction programs, thereby promoting sustainable tourism and economic diversification [15][14] - The report emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to managing single-use plastic reduction, which includes self-assessment, planning, policy creation, and progress evaluation [18][39] Summary by Sections Introduction and Background - The production of plastic has increased significantly, leading to environmental issues, with only 15% of plastic waste being recycled globally [9] - The tourism industry is a major generator of plastic waste, particularly single-use plastics, prompting calls for action to reduce their use [9][10] Approach to Managing Single-Use Plastic Reduction - The report outlines a four-stage approach for hotels to manage single-use plastic reduction: self-assessment, creating a reduction plan, establishing a reduction policy, and measuring progress [18] - A total of ten steps are detailed for effective implementation of the reduction strategy [20] Guidelines and Best Practices - The guidelines provide practical advice for hotels to identify and reduce the most frequently used single-use plastic items, such as plastic bottles, bags, cutlery, and straws [11][56] - Strategies include removing unnecessary items, reducing consumption, replacing with reusable alternatives, and ensuring recyclability of remaining items [30][29] Monitoring and Evaluation - Regular monitoring of progress is essential to ensure targets are met and to identify barriers to success [52] - Evaluation of outcomes will help inform future reduction plans and assess the effectiveness of implemented strategies [53] Attachments - Attachment 1 includes a detailed list of frequently used plastics, self-assessment tools, and financial projection tools [55] - Attachment 2 provides alternatives and strategies for reducing specific single-use plastic items [56]