Entities sign agreement to collect tourism waste

Santo Domingo.- During the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), hosted by the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), a significant agreement was inked to advance sustainable tourism practices within the country.

The Coca-Cola System, comprising the Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partner, Bepensa Dominicana, spearheaded the signing of this collaborative pact with Asonahores, the Santo Domingo Hotel Association (AHSD), and environmental organizations Nueva Vida para los Waste (NUVI) and Recolectiva, with the objective of PET plastic collection in hotels.

Under this agreement, Recolectiva will manage bottle collection in AHSD-affiliated hotels, supplemented by awareness campaigns conducted by NUVI. These efforts include training sessions on recycling and the circular economy for hotel staff. The initiative will commence with a pilot program in Santo Domingo, with plans for nationwide expansion in the future.

David Llibre, President of ASONAHORES, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Our institution, in partnership with MITUR, has been actively seeking sustainable solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of solid waste. We are thrilled to join forces with Coca-Cola, Bepensa, and all participating organizations to launch this pilot program, which we hope will serve as a nationwide solution in the near future.”

Juan Amell, representing the Coca-Cola System and Recolectiva, emphasized the importance of strategic alliances in executing impactful sustainability initiatives and urged other companies to join efforts towards creating a more responsible tourist destination that prioritizes both people and the planet. “This initiative aligns with the global vision of the Coca-Cola System, A World without Waste, aimed at promoting sustainability, recycling culture, and the circular economy,” Amell added.

Yudit García, President of the Santo Domingo Hotel Association, highlighted the alliance as a demonstration of their commitment to fostering programs that ensure waste reduction, recycling, and social integration to achieve sustainable tourism growth. “Today, Santo Domingo emerges as a pioneering destination, thanks to the launch of this hotel recycling pilot program,” García noted.

This agreement supplements other initiatives led by the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, including the introduction of electric cars, TURIZONEANDO, the Ciudad Colonial Community Center, training programs, a solid waste management project featuring new disposal facilities and electric waste collection units. By 2025, the electromobility system will connect Santo Domingo’s two primary cultural centers: the Colonial City and the Plaza de la Cultura.

This collective effort signifies a significant stride towards transforming the Dominican Republic into an environmentally conscious tourist destination, promoting a culture of recycling and responsible waste disposal.