At the Responsible Hoteliers Summit in Dubai, Kamran Khan, CEO of NIA, urged hospitality leaders to take immediate action against the use of single-use plastic bottles. In his keynote address, Khan highlighted the staggering figure that 600 billion plastic bottles are sold globally each year, with less than 15 percent being recycled. “The majority end up in landfills and our oceans,” he said, adding that microplastics are now found in the air, food, and water.
Speaking at the event held at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Khan pointed to alarming research showing that microplastics are infiltrating human organs and have been linked to health issues, including cancer, obesity, and hormone disruption. He called on industry leaders in the hospitality sector to lead by example. “The time for discussion is over; we need to act now,” he stated, encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices to eliminate single-use plastics and promote recycling.
NIA, a Dubai-based company founded in 1980, represents global brands like Sweden’s Bluewater, known for its advanced water purification technologies. Khan emphasized the hospitality sector’s role in reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. “Together, we can create a more sustainable future and protect our environment for generations to come,” he concluded.