Last Updated on: 4th October 2024, 06:25 am
Kamran Khan, CEO of NIA, a major distributor of HVAC solutions and living appliances throughout the Middle East, delivered a powerful keynote speech today at the Responsible Hoteliers Summit in Dubai, calling on industry leaders to intensify their efforts to combat the widespread use of single-use plastic bottles.
Drawing attention to the alarming figure of 600 billion single-use plastic bottles sold globally each year, Kamran Khan stressed the urgent need for the hospitality sector to embrace a collective responsibility. “With fewer than 15 percent of these bottles being recycled, the majority end up in landfills and our oceans,” he explained. “It’s hardly surprising that microplastic particles are now present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.”
Speaking at the summit, which took place at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Kamran Khan raised concerns over the mounting evidence of microplastics infiltrating human organs, including the brain, and their association with serious health issues such as cancer, obesity, and hormone disruption. He urged hospitality industry leaders and key decision-makers in attendance to take immediate and concrete steps towards reducing plastic waste within their businesses.
“The time for discussion is over; we need to act now,” Kamran Khan declared. “The hospitality industry has the power to set a precedent by adopting sustainable practices that eliminate single-use plastics and promote recycling.”
NIA, established in 1980 with its headquarters in Dubai, UAE, represents several world-renowned brands, including Sweden’s Bluewater, a leading innovator in advanced water purification and beverage solutions. Founded in 2013 in Stockholm, Bluewater has earned several accolades, including two Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards and the K&B Kitchen Innovation of the Year Award, while also being recognised for its sustainability efforts by numerous organisations.
Kamran Khan concluded his speech by calling for collaboration and innovation among attendees to prioritise the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. “Together, we can create a more sustainable future and protect our environment for generations to come,” he concluded.
