Destinations and The Issue of Waste

Last month, on Earth Day, Tofino made history as the first municipality in Canada to ban single-use plastic water bottles. Specifically, no plastic water bottles smaller than one litre can be sold within the municipality. This move by a popular destination aims to keep plastic out of waterways and ecosystems, where single-use plastics often end up despite our best efforts to recycle or dispose of them properly.

The decision will have a noticeable impact on tourism. Tofino is one of the most visited destinations in Canada, drawing both international and domestic travellers. Visitors now need to rethink how they access water while exploring, since purchasing a single-use bottle is no longer an option. This is a powerful example of how destinations can use local regulation to curb plastic pollution.

Across British Columbia, other destination-level initiatives have tackled waste through public campaigns and clean-up programs. These pairings educate visitors about responsible behaviour while addressing existing litter. The AmbassadorWILD program in Fernie, for instance, employs a seasonal team that cleans high-traffic areas, engages visitors on responsible recreation and Leave No Trace principles, and collects data from trail counters and wildlife cameras to manage tourism impacts.

Another well-known campaign is the Sea to Sky region’s Don’t Love It to Death initiative, which uses clever and entertaining messaging and videos to encourage reduced waste in backcountry spaces. The humor and creativity have helped the message resonate with both locals and visitors.

Some destinations are also turning to innovative financial tools such as eco-fees. Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection adds a one to two dollar contribution on top of attraction or accommodation prices, with funds directed toward environmental projects. One reported project funded by the eco-fee is the transportation of cardboard, paper, glass, plastic and aluminum recyclables to a recycling depot in the town of Jasper from areas not currently serviced by recycling haulers.

Traveller behaviour around waste remains challenging. When visitors are outside their home environments and unfamiliar with local waste systems, recycling and proper disposal rates often drop. Studies have shown that helping travellers adopt zero-waste principles not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances the overall visitor experience.

So which tools work best: eco-fees, educational campaigns with clean-ups, or outright plastic bans like Tofino’s? The coming years in Tofino will offer valuable insight into how municipal action can fit into a broader zero-waste future.