2022-01-23-ADB-Addressing_Marine_Litter_Through_Sustainable_Tourism_The_Case_of_the_Siargao_Islands_in_the_Southern_Philippines_22页_332kb

ADBI Working Paper Summary: Addressing Marine Litter through Sustainable Tourism in Siargao Islands

1. Background

• Study Focus: Exploring sustainable waste management and circular economy interventions to address marine litter in Siargao Islands, Philippines.
• Context: Philippines is a top tourist destination (8M arrivals in 2019), but faces severe marine litter issues, contributing to 500K tons of plastic waste annually.

2. Key Findings & Challenges

• Sources of Waste: Tourism grows at c.20% annually, with each tourist generating ~0.3KG/day of waste.
• Current Issues:
  • Fragmented Governance: No island-wide authority for waste management.
  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited waste collection, disposal (no sanitary landfill), and recovery facilities (MRFs).
  • Limited Enforcement: Weak implementation of segregation policies and lack of technical capacity.
  • Plastic Pollution: Single-use plastics from tourism exacerbate marine litter, especially during festivals and health protocols (PPEs).

3. Proposed Interventions

Circular Economy Approaches:

• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle: Mandatory segregation, MRF establishment, backyard composting, and producer responsibility extended.
• Innovative Solutions:
  • Deposit-Refund Systems (e.g., plastic bottle redemption).
  • Zero-Waste Technologies: Solar energy adoption in resorts, waterless toilets, and biodegradable packaging.

Structural Reforms:

• Siargao Central Waste Authority: Coordination platform for waste recovery and resource management.
• Sustainable Financing: User fees, tariffs on imported waste, and public-private partnerships.

Community & Policy Engagement:

• Education Campaigns: Public awareness and volunteer clean-up drives.
• Partnerships: NGOs (e.g., SEA Movement, STOA) and international donors (e.g., World Bank’s TouRIST project).
• Tourism Branding: Promoting Siargao as a “sustainable destination” to attract eco-conscious tourists.

4. Recommendations

1. Policy Strengthening: Ban single-use plastics nationally and enforce extended producer responsibility.
2. Infrastructure Investment: Build centralized landfills, transfer stations, and recovery facilities.
3. Technology Transfer: Adopt cost-effective sorting machines and biodegradable materials.
4. Capacity Building: Train local communities and LGUs on waste management techniques.
5. Cross-Border Cooperation: Regional partnerships to address marine debris from international waters.

5. Contribution

• Provides a blueprint for island tourism sustainability through circular economy and participatory governance, aligning with SDGs (esp. SDG 14 & 12).
• Highlights the need for localized, technology-driven, and financially sustainable solutions for marine litter management.