Phuket tackles waste issues, but will others follow suit?

Karon Beach in Phuket is beautiful ... when nobody is around. Photo: Melody L. Goh

For the millions of sun seekers who head to Thailand’s resort island of Phuket each year in search of stunning beaches and clear waters, cutting down on waste may not be a top priority.

But the island’s hotel association is hoping to change that with a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the use of plastic, tackling the garbage that washes up on its shores, and educating staff, local communities and tourists alike.