Can Tourist Islands Overcome the Plastic Scourge?
Small tourist islands are facing a growing challenge: managing plastic waste. In Sabang, Indonesia, this issue threatens marine ecosystems and the sustainability of local tourism. An in-depth survey reveals that 73% of residents and local stakeholders consider the current situation very precarious, if not disastrous. Tourist activities, local businesses, and the lack of adequate infrastructure are identified as the main sources of plastic pollution. Bags, bottles, and disposable packaging accumulate on beaches and in waters, degrading landscapes and threatening marine biodiversity.
The obstacles to effective management are numerous. The lack of adequate infrastructure is at the top of the list, followed by a lack of awareness, financial constraints, and insufficient coordination among the various stakeholders. Yet, despite these challenges, a strong will is emerging within the community. Nearly 95% of those surveyed support waste sorting at the source, while 92% are in favor of educational campaigns and 90% support recycling initiatives. These figures show a real awareness and a readiness to act, provided the means are available.
Plastic waste mainly comes from tourists, whose consumption habits generate large volumes of waste that are difficult to manage. Local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and diving operators, also contribute to this scourge, often due to a lack of alternatives or out of habit. Marine waste and household waste complete this picture, highlighting the multiplicity of pollution sources and pathways.
The envisaged solutions must therefore be multifaceted. Waste sorting, which is widely supported by the population, constitutes an essential foundation. Recycling programs and awareness campaigns are also seen as effective levers for changing behaviors. Beach clean-ups, although less supported, remain a visible and immediate measure to limit environmental impact. In contrast, the adoption of alternative materials to plastic generates less enthusiasm, due to their high cost and limited accessibility.
Collaboration among all stakeholders is indispensable. Local authorities, communities, tourism businesses, associations, and educational institutions must work hand in hand. Communities play a key role, as their social cohesion enables the implementation of sustainable collective actions. Tourism businesses, for their part, can reduce their plastic footprint by rethinking their practices, such as using reusable containers or eliminating single-use products.
Indonesia, the world’s second-largest contributor of plastic waste to the oceans, illustrates the scale of the problem. Each year, nearly 1.3 million tons of plastic end up in its waters, with heavy economic consequences for tourism. Islands like Gili Trawangan or the Cocos have already suffered significant financial losses due to the pollution of their beaches. Without strong action, Sabang could follow the same path.
A community-based plastic waste management framework therefore seems to be the way forward. This model integrates favorable conditions, such as adequate infrastructure and regulatory support, as well as operational mechanisms, such as sorting, recycling, and education. The results obtained in Sabang show that this approach can be replicated elsewhere, provided it is adapted to local specificities.
The stakes are high: preserving marine ecosystems while maintaining tourist appeal. To achieve this, it is necessary not only to invest in collection and treatment infrastructure but also to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and continuously raise awareness among the population and visitors. Without these combined efforts, tourist islands risk seeing their future compromised by the plastic invasion.
Can Tourist Islands Overcome the Plastic Scourge?
Small tourist islands are facing a growing challenge: managing plastic waste. In Sabang, Indonesia, this issue threatens marine ecosystems and the sustainability of local tourism. An in-depth survey reveals that 73% of residents and local stakeholders consider the current situation very precarious, if not disastrous. Tourist activities, local businesses, and the lack of adequate infrastructure are identified as the main sources of plastic pollution. Bags, bottles, and disposable packaging accumulate on beaches and in waters, degrading landscapes and threatening marine biodiversity.
The obstacles to effective management are numerous. The lack of adequate infrastructure is at the top of the list, followed by a lack of awareness, financial constraints, and insufficient coordination among the various stakeholders. Yet, despite these challenges, a strong will is emerging within the community. Nearly 95% of those surveyed support waste sorting at the source, while 92% are in favor of educational campaigns and 90% support recycling initiatives. These figures show a real awareness and a readiness to act, provided the means are available.
Plastic waste mainly comes from tourists, whose consumption habits generate large volumes of waste that are difficult to manage. Local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and diving operators, also contribute to this scourge, often due to a lack of alternatives or out of habit. Marine waste and household waste complete this picture, highlighting the multiplicity of pollution sources and pathways.
The envisaged solutions must therefore be multifaceted. Waste sorting, which is widely supported by the population, constitutes an essential foundation. Recycling programs and awareness campaigns are also seen as effective levers for changing behaviors. Beach clean-ups, although less supported, remain a visible and immediate measure to limit environmental impact. In contrast, the adoption of alternative materials to plastic generates less enthusiasm, due to their high cost and limited accessibility.
Collaboration among all stakeholders is indispensable. Local authorities, communities, tourism businesses, associations, and educational institutions must work hand in hand. Communities play a key role, as their social cohesion enables the implementation of sustainable collective actions. Tourism businesses, for their part, can reduce their plastic footprint by rethinking their practices, such as using reusable containers or eliminating single-use products.
Indonesia, the world’s second-largest contributor of plastic waste to the oceans, illustrates the scale of the problem. Each year, nearly 1.3 million tons of plastic end up in its waters, with heavy economic consequences for tourism. Islands like Gili Trawangan or the Cocos have already suffered significant financial losses due to the pollution of their beaches. Without strong action, Sabang could follow the same path.
A community-based plastic waste management framework therefore seems to be the way forward. This model integrates favorable conditions, such as adequate infrastructure and regulatory support, as well as operational mechanisms, such as sorting, recycling, and education. The results obtained in Sabang show that this approach can be replicated elsewhere, provided it is adapted to local specificities.
The stakes are high: preserving marine ecosystems while maintaining tourist appeal. To achieve this, it is necessary not only to invest in collection and treatment infrastructure but also to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and continuously raise awareness among the population and visitors. Without these combined efforts, tourist islands risk seeing their future compromised by the plastic invasion.
References and Sources
About This Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44312-026-00081-w
Title: Toward a community-based plastic waste management framework to enhance sustainable tourism in small island destinations: a case study of Sabang Island, Indonesia
Journal: Marine Development
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Muhammad Nizar; Erdiwansyah Erdiwansyah; Bahagia Bahagia; Irhamni Irhamni; Sendi Nofaris; Sherly Afifah