Bahrain’s hospitality industry is no longer welcoming plastic waste, and one hotel group has taken the lead in minimising the use of single-use plastics by binning straws which may find their way into the kingdom’s seas and nature reserves.
The InterContinental Hotels Group, which boasts the InterContinental Regency Bahrain and Crowne Plaza Bahrain hotels under its wing in the kingdom, has prohibited the use of plastic straws with its drinks, and is encouraging guests to not use a straw at all.
However, general manager Jan Ifcic has said that if guests do request a straw for their fruit juice or mocktail, they will be fully-biodegradable as part of a green campaign supported by the whole of the hotel’s team of employees.
He said: “The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched a global initiative at all of its locations around the world, but the most important thing for us is to participate locally with our own Green Engage programme.
“Being in Bahrain and on an island, we have been intrigued by environmental projects and how we can push further than simply getting rid of plastic straws. Ultimately, there’s sea all around us and we don’t want to see plastic waste in it. Therefore, our Bahraini team got together, since they know the country better than anyone, and they came up with the idea of protecting the famous birds and diverse wildlife in Tubli.
“The population has been decreasing at an alarming rate over the past few years, and one of the main causes is the consumption and ingestion of plastics.
“Cutting out plastic straws is just the first step. We’re trying to encourage our guests not to take any straws at all, because even if they are not plastic, they can still end up as litter and take time to degrade. Furthermore, the hotel will be reducing its general use of plastics over the coming months, such as removing plastic cutlery from takeaway food and avoiding plastic containers.”
Plastic waste is quickly becoming one of the most alarming environmental crises in the world.
Billions of kilograms of plastic can be found in swirling convergences that make up about 40 per cent of the world’s ocean surfaces. About eight million metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually and, at current rates, plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.
With IHG blazing a green trail, others in the kingdom’s hospitality sector are pushing ahead with green initiatives. The Domain Hotel and Spa, for example, announced this week that plastic straws will no longer be served with drinks from September 1 and others are expected to follow.
It’s an industry trend that Jan is proud of. The Slovakian, who has been with IHG for 26 years and has had stints in London, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and Abu Dhabi before taking on the joint role as general manager of the InterContinental Regency Bahrain and area general manager of Bahrain, believes that when it comes to going green, there’s no such thing as competition.
He said: “I’m delighted that other hotels are following suit. Of course, I’m a little proud that we somewhat pioneered it, but when it’s for a great cause we all become one. There’s no competition at all when it’s benefitting the environment.
“I truly hope that all hotels, restaurants and other outlets do as much as they can to minimalise plastic waste. As much as it is taking action now to protect local wildlife, it will also provide an education for younger people in Bahrain. If they grow up in a greener environment, then naturally they will be more inclined to carry on that way.”
