Aiming for zero single-use plastic
3 tips for visitors to ensure a "0 plastic" stay
Piloted and deployed by the Direction de l'Environnement and the Association Ecoscience Provence, the Commerce Engagé® and Restaurant Engagé® labels are tools designed to help local players and consumers adopt a sustainable consumption approach. These establishments work daily to reduce and sort waste, combat food waste and single-use items, support local dynamics, reduce energy and water consumption, and raise customer awareness.
Today, visitors to the Principality have the opportunity to minimize their environmental impact and take action for a "zero single-use plastic waste" destination by applying 3 simple eco-gestures, grouped together by the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority in a poster distributed to approved establishments.
These commitments are in line with the Principality's current regulations:
=> Eco-gesture 1: I put all my purchases in a reusable shopping bag or backpack.
Since June 1, 2016, single-use plastic checkout bags (<50 µm thick, <25l capacity) have been banned (including recycled, biosourced, biodegradable, compostable or oxodegradable plastic bags).
=> Eco-gesture 2: I equip myself with a nomadic kit of reusable cutlery and straw.
Since January 1, 2019 - whether reusable or single-use - all plastic straws have been banned (including straws made from recycled, biosourced, biodegradable, compostable or oxodegradable plastic).
Finally, as of January 1, 2022, the free and systematic provision of single-use cutlery is prohibited, whatever the material (including biosourced and compostable plastics). Disposable cutlery will therefore have to be paid for by customers, particularly in the takeaway sector.
It is therefore up to the vendor to provide customers, on request only, with non-plastic cutlery, in return for a "significant" contribution (to be determined freely, at least equal to the cost price).
=> Eco-gesture 3: I no longer buy disposable plastic bottles; I take a water bottle and fill it up in one of the public fountains.
... and even if the ban on disposable plastic bottles is not yet regulated, this last eco-gesture is nonetheless essential for reducing plastic waste!
Find out more about Committed Shops & Restaurants and geolocated public fountains on YourMonaco.