India’s favourite beach destination, Goa has banned single-use plastic. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) announced that plastic items such as plastic glasses, and bottle cups have been banned from its hotels and headquarters, effective immediately.

The state took upon the New Year Resolution of getting rid of single-use plastic by 2022 and as a part of the initiative, the state government banned the use of items like straws, disposable glasses, bags and cutlery from September. Goa Tourism now joins the band wagon in support of the plan to go completely plastic-free. If you too wish to contribute to the cause, all you have to do is choose to stay in one of the GTDC hotels and say NO to plastic.


Photo of Goa, India by Samarth Arora

The steps taken will definitely go a long way in making Goa cleaner and greener. Evidently, plastic disposal has become a major concern across the globe and such developments are a big win for everyone.

Recent studies show that plastic bottles constitute of about 20 per cent of water pollution in the oceans. The tourism industry has been battling the issue for a while now and the announcement comes as a big relief. As per the latest instructions, hotels will serve beverages in glasses and paper cups. Hotels and offices will soon make way for water filters and dispensers if not already installed, to minimise plastic use.



The chairman of GTDC, Dayanand Sopte has said that efforts are in progress to bring in more partners and stakeholders in the hospitality sector in order to trigger a campaign against the use of plastic items. So the next time you’re in Goa, make sure you stay clear of any plastic that may damage the ecosystem or put you in trouble.Source