To think they have a cheek charging an “eco tax”?

[HopefullyAnonymous]

Currently on holiday, on a Spanish island that introduced an eco tourism tax a few years ago at €3.30 per adult per day. I have no issue with this in principle and have paid similar charges in Mexico etc. My understanding (I could be wrong!) is that it’s generate money to go towards reducing the environmental impact of tourism in the area.

My problem - the hotel serves drinks only in ridiculously flimsy single use plastic cups. Meals from the snack bar are on plastic plates with disposable plastic cups. They are in the pool, in the gardens etc (although the staff do a brilliant job of clearing them away). I’m forever picking them up and putting them in a bin. There is no recycling facility. You can pay to have a reusable cup, but not all of the bars and restaurants are able to clean them for you if you fancy a different drink!

AIBU to think that if as a country you’re going to impose an environmental tourism tax then there should be rules in place to force the tourist industry to actually reduce the environmental impact of their business?!

You’re right. They should be using unbreakable reusable cups.

Should have said disposable cutlery, rather than cups twice!! The rage is obviously getting to me!

I would much rather they had glasses made of actual glass, when they break in or near a pool its much better for the environment.

Surely there’s a middle ground? Reusable plastic? Between the four of us I estimated we’ve used over 100 cups so far and it’s our third day. It’s so wasteful!

I agree. I was in Spain a few weeks ago and there was plastic waste everywhere.