Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon: Plastic Reduction

Maldivian resorts have been pushed to come up with their own creative solutions in achieving zero plastic targets by 2023. As part of its Save Ocean From Plastics campaign, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon has replaced its plastic garbage bags for large bins (140 L/ 58 kg) with a washable and reusable cotton garbage bag. In addition, plastic guest laundry bags have been replaced with handmade paper bags made from old Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Magazines. A colourful solution for an urgent and serious problem.

The results in reducing overall plastic waste were substantial. Within the 2019/20 period, the resort diverted a total amount of 915.86 kg of plastic waste from landfill and marine environments. A detailed breakdown provides more information on exact figures.

•Total reduction in large plastic garbage bags was 17,450 bags X 0.044 kg per bag = 767.80kg
• The total reduction in plastic laundry bags was 2300 bags X 0.010 kg per bag = 23 kg
• Total reduction in plastic 1.5 litre water bottles was 3573 bottles X 0.035 kg per bottle=125.06 kg

Single use plastic (SUP) bottles were also in the resort’s’ sights. In March 2020, 1.5 Litre PET Bottles were replaced with refillable water flagons while 500 ml bottles were replaced with customized reusable drinking bottles that were gifted to guests upon check-in.