Bangkok--10 Jul--Delivering Asia Communications
Group photo: (left to right): Jayne Macdougall, Phuket Hotels Association Environment & Sustainability Committee Member & Director of Risk Management, Le Meridien, Dr. Marissa Jablonski, Scientist, U.S Embassy Science Fellowship Program, Norraphat Plodthong, Governor of Phuket, Anthony Lark, President, Phuket Hotels Association & Managing Director and General Manager of Trisara, Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, President, Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter & Manager, The Vijitt Resort and Lek Manoon, Administration Manager, Phuket Hotels Association.
For Immediate Release 10 July 2018
The Phuket Hotels Association has joined forces with the U.S. Embassy Science Fellowship (ESF) Program to tackle the critical issue of waste management in Phuket, with the aim of eliminating single-use plastics at the island's hotels.
Founded in 2001, the ESF Program promotes bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology. Since it was launched, nearly 300 scientists have provided their expertise to projects around the world.
Under the latest project, Dr. Marissa Jablonski, an appointed Fellow of the program, will conduct a 60-day research project in Phuket, beginning July 2, 2018. Using the latest technology and data collection tools, she will investigate plastic use and waste management at the island's hotels and resorts. At the end of her assignment, Dr. Jablonski will create a final report detailing recommendations for the elimination of single-use plastics at all Phuket hotels and resorts.
"So much depends on the health of our oceans," remarked U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Glyn T. Davies. "That's why the U.S. Embassy is very excited to engage in this unique project with the Phuket Hotels Association to reduce and eliminate marine plastic pollution. This complex challenge requires creative solutions such as this public-private partnership. During her time in Phuket, Dr. Jablonski will work with business, government, civil society, and others to raise awareness on this issue and put forward concrete solutions."
While Thailand is only the 20th most populous country in the world, it is believed to be among the top six plastic polluters. If urgent action isn't taken, there could be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans by 2050. This would have a devastating impact on marine environments and food chains.
President of Phuket Hotels Association Anthony Lark commented, "Plastic pollution is one of the most critical issues facing the planet today. The world's oceans and the creatures that depend on them are choking on plastic and it is our duty to tackle this problem. Our collaboration with the U.S. Embassy is another example of how the Phuket Hotels Association is taking decisive action to preserve our local environment."
Mr. Lark added, "We look forward to welcoming Dr. Jablonski to Phuket. Her recommendations will pave the way for our member hotels to overhaul their waste management techniques and eliminate single-use plastics. If these practices are put into action at all of our 70-plus member properties, it will have an incredible impact on the local environment."
Reducing plastic is one of the Phuket Hotels Association's primary goals. It has already set up a working group dedicated to eliminating plastic water bottles in hotel rooms and reducing other single-use plastics within the hotels, such as drinking straws.
The Phuket Hotels Association also conducts regular beach clean-up events and hosts staff training and education workshops on the negative impact of plastic on the environment. To facilitate this, the Phuket Hotels Association has even translated and created Thai subtitles for the documentary "A Plastic Ocean," in partnership with the Plastic Oceans Foundation.
Teaming up with the ESF Program marks the next major step in the association's efforts to tackle plastic pollution. Dr. Jablonski is an expert in her field and will work alongside the Phuket Hotels Association, member hotels, and local authorities to analyze and evaluate waste management at hotels and resorts across the island. She will also seek to raise awareness within the community about marine plastic pollution, including educational visits to local schools.
Once Dr. Jablonski's recommendations are implemented at all 70+ Phuket Hotels Association's member properties, Phuket will become one of the first tourism destinations in the world to eliminate single-use plastics across such a large number of hotels and resorts.
To learn more, please visit www.phukethotelsassociation.com
Phuket Hotels Association members are as follows:
Amanpuri, Amari Phuket, Amatara Resort & Wellness, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Maikhao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Maikhao Phuket, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort, Angsana Villas Resort Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Boat Lagoon Resort, , Burasari Resort Phuket, Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket, Cape Sienna Hotels & Villas, Centara Grand Beach Resort, Club Med Phuket, COMO Point Yamu, Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Maikhao, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Impiana Resort Patong, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Kata Rocks, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Manathai Surin Phuket, Millennium Resort Patong Phuket, Movenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa, Novotel Phuket Phokeethra, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Paresa Resort, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa Merlin Beach, , Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Rosewood Phuket, SALA Phuket Resort & Spa, Serenity Resort and Residences, Swissotel Resort Phuket Patong Beach, Thanyapura Sports Hotel, The Bell Pool Villa Resort, The Nai Harn Phuket, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, The Pavilions Phuket, The Slate, The Surin Phuket, The Village Coconut Island, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket, Trisara, Twinpalms Phuket, U Zenmaya Phuket, Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay, Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort Phuket