SLHTA collaborates with Recycle Organics on reducing Organic Waste in the Hospitality Sector

Statement by SLHTA CEO Noorani Azeez at the Organic Waste Management for the Hospitality Sector webinar, held on Thursday, February 20, 2025: 

Good morning, esteemed members of the SLHTA, partners, and sustainability champions,

It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you to today’s workshop on Organic Waste Management for the Hospitality Sector, hosted in collaboration with the Recycle Organics Program. This session is not just another webinar—it is a call to action, a step forward in our collective journey toward a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry.

As the CEO of the SLHTA, I am incredibly proud of the work we have done over the years to position Saint Lucia as a leader in sustainable tourism. From our Green Key Certification initiatives to our partnerships with global organizations like the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), we have consistently championed practices that protect our environment, support our communities, and enhance the guest experience. Today, we take another bold step forward by focusing on a critical issue: organic waste management.

Why is this important? The hospitality sector is a cornerstone of Saint Lucia’s economy, but with great opportunity comes great responsibility. Organic waste—food scraps, garden waste, and other biodegradable materials—makes up a significant portion of the waste generated by our industry. If not managed properly, it can contribute to environmental degradation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and strain on our national waste management systems. But here’s the good news: organic waste is also one of the easiest types of waste to repurpose and recycle. By optimizing our waste reduction practices, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity—a chance to reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and align with Saint Lucia’s national waste management goals.

This workshop is designed to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to do just that. Over the next few hours, you will hear from experts in the field, learn about innovative waste management solutions, and discover how small changes in your operations can have a big impact on our environment. Whether you’re a hotelier, restaurateur, or tourism professional, this session will provide actionable insights to help you reduce waste, improve efficiency, and contribute to a cleaner, greener Saint Lucia.

But the benefits of attending today’s workshop go beyond the sessions themselves. By participating, you are joining a network of like-minded professionals who are committed to driving change in our industry. You are becoming part of a community that shares best practices, collaborates on solutions, and works together to achieve our sustainability goals. This is the power of the SLHTA—a united front of hospitality leaders who understand that sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a business imperative and a moral responsibility.

I encourage you to engage fully in today’s discussions, ask questions, and share your own experiences. Let’s learn from each other and explore how we can collectively elevate our sustainability efforts. Together, we can make Saint Lucia a model for sustainable tourism in the Caribbean and beyond.

Finally, I want to extend a special thank you to the Recycle Organics Program for their partnership in hosting this workshop. Your expertise and commitment to sustainable waste management are invaluable, and we are grateful for your collaboration.

To our members, thank you for your continued dedication to the SLHTA and to the future of our industry. Your participation in initiatives like this is what drives our progress and ensures that Saint Lucia remains a destination of choice for travelers who value sustainability and authenticity.

Let’s make today the start of something transformative. Let’s embrace the challenge of organic waste management and turn it into an opportunity for growth, innovation, and leadership. Together, we can build a brighter, greener future for Saint Lucia’s hospitality sector.

Thank you, and I wish you a productive and inspiring workshop!