Effective solid waste management is a vital component of sustainable tourism development. The way destinations handle waste directly affects environmental integrity, resource efficiency, and visitor satisfaction. In tourism, waste is generated along the entire value chain — from accommodation and gastronomy to mobility and leisure activities. Monitoring and managing this waste helps destinations identify where resources can be used more efficiently and how circular economic principles can be strengthened.

In Tyrol, responsible waste management is of particular importance due to the sensitivity of alpine ecosystems. Littering and the displacement of waste into natural environments represent specific challenges, while guests often separate waste less consistently during holidays. At the same time, environmentally conscious waste management is becoming an increasingly important factor for visitors when assessing destination quality.

Aligned with the tourism strategy “The Tyrolean Way”, Tyrol promotes a circular economy approach across the tourism sector. This includes fostering circular business models, using regional resources efficiently, and minimizing waste generation to establish a more sustainable regional value cycle.

TYSTO collects and analyzes data on solid waste management to support circular and resource-efficient tourism development in Tyrol. Given the methodological challenges in isolating tourism-specific waste volumes, TYSTO currently focuses on a mainly qualitative approach to monitoring waste management. This includes assessing infrastructure, awareness measures, and collaborative efforts between tourism stakeholders and municipalities.

Initial results will be published in 2026, covering data from the 2025 reporting year. Data collection is currently ongoing.