One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned while traveling is that plastic is a gigantic problem. We’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating effects it has in places around Southeast Asia. However, this is not just an isolated issue; it impacts all of us, even if we don’t realize it yet. At iBestTravel, we are committed to cutting out plastic and bringing awareness to this urgent matter. Therefore, we aim to provide solutions that can contribute to a cleaner environment.
1. The Importance of Using a Refillable Water Bottle While Traveling
The alarming number of plastic water bottles used in the tourism industry, particularly in Asia, presents significant environmental challenges. Often, effective recycling systems are lacking, causing most plastic waste to end up in landfills or contribute to ocean pollution. According to Greenpeace, approximately 150 million tons of plastic litter reside in our seas, with an annual addition of 12 million tons. It is estimated that 4.6 million plastic water bottles are consumed monthly in Cambodia’s tourist industry, highlighting the urgent need for change.
2. Reusable Bottles in Cambodia
In response to these issues, the tourism sector in Cambodia has initiated collaboration efforts to reduce plastic bottle usage. The Refill Not Landfill project was founded in 2016, offering a viable alternative: reusable aluminum bottles. Local hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and various businesses have become partners in this movement, providing clean, purified water to users of branded refillable bottles.
This campaign has gained popularity among tourists and locals alike, with more organizations joining the Refill Not Landfill initiative. Reusable bottles are available for purchase at many locations throughout Cambodia, with over 150 refill stations offering free refills, paving the way for similar initiatives in neighboring countries like Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand.
3. Why Refill and Not Landfill?
Every day, tourists typically consume about 2 liters of water, which often comes from four plastic bottles. Over the course of a holiday, this can lead to significant plastic waste, creating environmental repercussions. By providing alternatives through the Refill Not Landfill initiative, substantial reductions in plastic bottle consumption can be achieved.
4. The Consequences of Consuming Plastic Water Bottles
In many Asian countries, recycling awareness is limited, leading to significant quantities of plastic waste entering aquatic environments, landfills, or being burned. This plastic waste not only threatens ecosystems but poses health risks to humans and wildlife. When plastic is incinerated, harmful pollutants are released into the air, while marine life often confuses plastic for food, leading to devastating consequences. To mitigate personal plastic usage, consider implementing the following simple strategies.
5. How to Reduce Plastic Easily
In addition to using a refillable water bottle, there are numerous alternatives to reduce plastic consumption while traveling. For instance, it is common in Asia to receive plastic bags with every purchase. Therefore, always carry a reusable bag to avoid single-use plastic bags. If you forget your bag, consider carrying your items without one; this minor inconvenience will remind you to bring your reusable bag in the future.
Additionally, to reduce plastic straws, simply choose to drink without one. However, if you prefer using a straw, many establishments in Cambodia are substituting plastic straws with bamboo or metal options, which are more eco-friendly. This collaborative effort in Cambodia promotes the reduction of plastics as more organizations join the Refill Not Landfill initiative.
- The Nest Beachclub
- The Battambang Bike
- Flow Food and Wine
- McDermott Gallery
- Vagabonds
- Rehash Trash
- Purple Mango Wellness Centre
- Little Red Fox Espresso
- Jaya House RiverPark
- Victoria Angkor
- Sala Lodges
- Babel Guesthouse
- LubD Hostel
- Aqua Expeditions
- EXO-Travel
- Easia-Travel
- The Phare Cambodian Circus
6. Conclusion: Refill Not Landfill
We appreciate your time and hope you found this information useful. Together, we can contribute to a cleaner environment and support the efforts of initiatives like Refill Not Landfill. By adopting small changes, we can collectively make a significant impact on reducing plastic waste in Southeast Asia.
