Albania is increasingly mobilising efforts to address the challenge of plastic pollution affecting the Mediterranean region. Vlora, a key coastal tourism destination in Albania, faces significant challenges from plastic pollution, threatening its marine ecosystems, beaches, rivers and tourism appeal. The local waste management system, while recently improving with added budgets from the Ministry of Environment during the peak season, still struggles from tourist influxes, inexperience of the application of the procedures on the ground, continuously changing institutional landscape, leading to inadequate collection and leakage of single-use plastics (SUPs) into the environment. There is a high dependence on SUPs within the hospitality sector (water bottles, toiletries, packaging, food service items, etc.).
“The Vlora Plastic-Free Hospitality Pact” is a 16-month project designed to significantly reduce single-use plastic (SUP) consumption in Vlora’s hotel sector. The project will establish a formal Pact, uniting at least 5 hotels and engage over 20 hotels, in a commitment to eliminate SUPs. Vlora DMO will provide them with a practical “SUP Reduction Toolkit,” conduct waste audits, and offer tailored consultancy to identify and implement alternatives (focusing on reuse and elimination). A “Plastic-Free Champion” certification, verified by an independent committee, will recognize and market participating hotels. This initiative directly tackles pollution at the tourist source, creates a replicable model for the city and region, and strengthens Vlora’s position as a sustainable destination.
“Through the Vlora Plastic-Free Hospitality Pact, we aim to position Vlorë as a leading sustainable coastaldestination in Albania and the Mediterranean. Tourism is vital to our local economy, but it also generatessignificant amounts of single-use plastic waste that threaten our marine ecosystems and beaches. Byworking directly with hotels, restaurants, and bars, we want to support the transition toward practical, eco-friendly alternatives and foster a culture of responsible tourism.
The project will begin with 20 pilot establishments along the Vlorë coastline. Together, we will conductplastic waste audits, provide staff training, introduce sustainable alternatives such as refillable, and rewardcommitted businesses through certification and eco-labeling initiatives. Beyond reducing plastic wasteentering the municipal waste stream, this initiative aims to raise awareness among visitors and residentsalike, improve the quality of our coastal environment, and strengthen Vlorë’s reputation as a clean,innovative, and environmentally responsible destination.” Edi Beqaraj, Vlora DMO (Destination ManagementOrg.)
