Sustainability and waste sorting management in small scale hotels in Sri Lanka : A Minor Field Study in Sri Lanka

Abstract: Sri Lanka is a small island located on the tip of India in the Indian Ocean. Following the end of the civil war, Sri Lanka’s tourism numbers have increased drastically. Up until the pandemic, more and more tourists flocked to the island. To cope with the increasing number of tourists, tourism services and accommodations have expanded remarkably. Associated with this, waste management has become an increasing problem in Sri Lanka. The aim of this report is to retrieve knowledge about the current sustainability work made in small scale Sri Lankan hotels with focus on waste sorting management. Furthermore, the possibilities of sustainability improvements, including economic, social and environmental benefits is discussed. A literature study is made to gain clearness in current theories and technologies regarding sustainability and waste sorting management in hotels. Literature is based on both Sri Lankan theories and information, as well as additional foreign examples of similar procedures. In addition to this, a field study is made on sight in Sri Lanka. The field study includes interviewing experts and hotel managers from five of the country’s nine provinces. Furthermore, psychical observations are made on these hotels. The field study is conducted during eight weeks. The mapping of sustainability and waste sorting management among small scale hotels in Sri Lanka result in the notion of multiple different technologies being used. Furthermore, waste is categorized as degradable- and nondegradable waste, as well as wastewater. The hotels have different systems for managing waste as some tend to handle it internally through technologies owned, and others have external parties handling their waste. Apart from this, there is a tendency of lacking sustainability work among hotels including lacking guidelines. This in conjunction with a lack of knowledge and attitude in general regarding sustainability work. The study has resulted in the finding of multiple areas of improvement. Suggestions of improvements include educating staff and locals on sustainability work and technologies in schools and at hotels. Also, using more advertisements regarding green marketing to attract guests and create value is recommended. Furthermore, expanding and evaluating guidelines through examples and motivational incentives and lastly increase controls of SLTDA guidelines being followed are suggestions of improvements. In summary, expanding sustainability work in hotels are hindered by three factors: the government, lack of knowledge and lack of capital.