TUI cuts single-use plastic by another 13 percent per guest night

International

Plastic consumption at owned and managed hotels has fallen by around 30 percent since 2022, while microfiber filters are being introduced in more destinations

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration

TUI Group has further reduced the amount of single-use plastic used across its owned and managed hotel portfolio. In the 2025 financial year, consumption fell to 40 grams per guest night, an estimated 13 percent reduction compared with the previous year.

Since 2022, single-use plastic consumption per guest night has declined by around 30 percent. Alongside measures to eliminate disposable products, TUI is expanding the use of microfiber filtration technology in hotel laundry systems to reduce the amount of microplastic entering waterways.

TUI BLUE almost halves use of plastic water bottles

TUI BLUE hotels have reduced their use of plastic water bottles by almost 50 percent. Measures include the installation of water dispensers and the introduction of refillable bottles and reusable glasses.

Hotels have also removed or reduced products such as plastic straws, stirrers, balloons, disposable cups, laundry bags and most single-use condiment packaging. TUI says its approach follows the principle of “avoid, reuse, replace”, with reusable products taking priority over simply substituting one disposable material for another.

The development is particularly visible in Türkiye. TUI BLUE hotels there reduced plastic consumption from 98 grams per guest night in the 2024 financial year to 50 grams in 2025, a decrease of almost 49 percent within one year.

Microfiber filters introduced in hotels

TUI is also extending its efforts to microplastic pollution. Following the introduction of microfiber filters aboard cruise ships, the technology is now being installed in selected hotels.

The company is using INDIKON filters from Cleaner Seas Group in washing machine wastewater systems. According to independent laboratory tests cited by TUI, the filters can capture up to 99 percent of microfibers released during washing before they enter wastewater systems.

The captured material can subsequently be recycled within a closed-loop system. The technology has now been introduced at selected hotels in Spain, Greece, Italy, Morocco and Türkiye.

Plastic reduction remains part of 2030 strategy

Reducing plastic consumption forms part of TUI's “People, Planet, Progress” sustainability agenda. The company is also a member of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative led by the UN Environment Programme.

Under the initiative, TUI has committed to eliminating problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging by 2030. The programme brings together tourism companies and organisations with the aim of reducing plastic pollution and promoting greater use of circular solutions across the travel industry.