Tackling Single-Use-Plastic in small touristic islands to reduce marine litter: co-identifying the best mix of policies

Marine litter is a worldwide issue affecting local communities with increasing environmental and economic impacts, with Single-Use-Plastic (SUP) pollution being of specific concern. The tourism industry has been identified as one of the major sector contributing to marine plastic pollution therefor in need to take urgent actions. Small islands are particularly vulnerable and need locally adapted strategies to effectively tackle this issue. This study proposes the use of a participative system-based approach to co-design, with local stakeholders, a roadmap tackling Single-Use-Plastic (SUP) in the hospitality industry of small touristic islands. The methodology was applied in small Greek islands in the Mediterranean Sea where lack of knowledge and awareness, limited financial resources and expertise, low efficiency of the waste management system were identified as the main challenges. Policy, industry, civil society and academia representatives were involved in a participative co-creation process to co-identify the best mix of policy instruments and innovation (social and technological) adapted to the local island context, capable of reducing plastic consumption and littering in the island while fostering behavioural change (from consumers and local businesses perspective). A roadmap of actions, based on the Circular Economy reduce, reuse, recycle principles, including raising awareness actions, positive economic incentives, capacity building and partnership within the quadruple helix (academia, business, public authorities and civil society representatives), was co-developed, forming the basis of the municipal island free SUP strategy. The study provides 1) an innovative participatory methodology to tackle SUP issues replicable in various contexts, 2) evidences on key barriers to be overcome by the local tourism industry in small island communities to phase out SUP uses.