Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, has been recognised as a best practice by the Sustainable EU Tourism project for its efforts to protect its surrounding natural park through sustainable waste management.

As tourism numbers increased, reaching over 1.5 million overnight stays in 2023, plastic pollution in nature also rose, prompting the local Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and park authorities to launch “Let’s Green” in 2021. This initiative targets both residents and visitors, aiming to reduce plastic waste and raise environmental awareness.

Eleven mountain huts now participate in the project, with several achieving plastic-free status and implementing eco-compactors and recycling systems under the “Bottle to Bottle” circular initiative. The “Refill your water bottle” campaign further reduces single-use plastics by providing refillable bottles and promoting water fountains across the region.

Education plays a key role in the initiative, with the destination’s website, influencer partnerships, and expert-led excursions informing visitors about eco-friendly practices and responsible behaviour in nature.

With visible waste reduction and strong community engagement, the initiative demonstrates how even small mountain destinations can take meaningful steps toward sustainability through cooperation, education, and targeted infrastructure. 

For more details on the key challenges the destination has faced, and the solutions implemented to address them, please refer to the attached document.

#Destination management #Nature reserves #Waste reduction #Community engagement #Sustainable tourism