WASTE
In an increasingly resource-constrained world, we all have choices to make in order to live sustainable lifestyles. The products we purchase, the waste we generate and the way in which it is disposed is a serious issue. No matter where in the world we are, we must identify ways to reduce our impacts where possible.
At The Travel Corporation, we’ve identified many opportunities in our offices and on the road to reduce harmful unnecessary single-use plastics and have transitioned to providing entirely electronic guest documents.
What is a zero waste lifestyle?
Aiming to live a zero waste lifestyle means reducing the amount of trash that you contribute to landfill entirely, or to the absolute smallest possible amount. This lifestyle prioritizes the practice of reusable items which reduce waste at the root, so that even recycling is a last resort.
THE WORLD GENERATES 2.01 BILLION TONNES OF SOLID WASTE PER YEAR
This is expected to grow to 3.4 billion tons by 2050 (source).
HOW WE CAN ALL MAKE CONSCIOUS CHOICES
YOUR GOAL: EMBRACE ZERO WASTE
REthink
Challenge the status quo. Say goodbye to excessive packaging on everything from food items, to household and even hygiene products.
GO BIODEGRADABLE
There are several everday items that will decompose after use – try loofahs made from plants, compostable dish cloths or even biodegradable floss!
REFUSE
♦ Simply ask yourself if you truly need a product before purchasing it
♦ Consider its durability, how often you’ll use it, and whether there are sustainably-made alternatives for the product
♦ Resist free giveaways – just because it’s free doesn’t mean you need it!
♦ Hang a ‘no junk mail’ notice on your mailbox
SWAP OUT SINGLE-USE
♦ Purchase reusable containers and stock up at bulk stores
♦ Get your shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant in bar form without any packaging
♦ Swap out aluminum foil for silicone covers, cling wrap for beeswax wrap, ziplocks for reusable bags, plastic straws for metal ones, disposable razors for razor ones, and on and on!
♦ Shop with reusable shopping and produce bags
REPURPOSE
Before tossing something in the trash, consider giving it a new life: can you transform it into something new? Can you donate it or trade it for something you need?
Donate
Everything from clothing to furniture can be given a second life through donation to someone in need.
%
of all clothing is landfilled or incinerated (source)
BUY SECOND HAND
As an added bonus: find some truly one-of-a-kind items. Also, consider community marketplaces like Craigslist, Ebay or Facebook Marketplace where you can trade and barter goods you don’t need for ones you do! Win-win.
DON’T TOSS TEXTILES
Old sheets and clothes can be repurposed into washcloths, or you can check if your local community waste program accepts fabrics for appropriate disposal.
RECYCLE
If you can’t refuse, reuse or repurpose, ensure that your recycling efforts don’t go to waste by following proper recycling protocols.
AVOID ‘WISHCYCLING’
We know your intentions are good, but some recyclables have rules that when broken, do more damage than good. Learn what each label means, and what you can and cannot recycle in your region – not all recycling programs are the same.
EXPLORE NEW ALTERNATIVES
Innovative companies like Loop are introducing a whole new way to look at recycling. They’ve created a zero-waste way to shop your favourite products, by supplying them in reusable containers that they collect, clean, and reuse. Learn more >
TRAVEL
Treat the lands you visit as you would your own, and tread light. These tips will help you leave the communities you visit as good as, or better than, you found them.
1. PACK REUSABLES
Coming prepared with a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and cutlery will not only allow you to refuse single-use items in destination but on your flight as well, helping reduce the millions of tons of airline cabin waste produced in a normal year.
2. RETHINK TOILETRIES
Many hotels are working to reduce their waste, including a ban on those tiny single-use toiletry bottles. Seek out accommodations that don’t provide these, or bring your own.
3. GO DIGITAL
Opt for digital travel documents instead of printed ones. Added convenience without the waste.
4. PACK A BAG
Plastic bags are one of the peskiest pieces of waste plaguing our environment and wildlife today. Get yourself a reusable bag to take everywhere you go – you never know when you’ll make a purchase, and this way you can be sure to refuse the plastic bag.
5. JOIN A LOCAL CLEANUP
In your extra time, why not seek out a local cleanup initiative. Not only will you visit new places, meet locals, and have some interesting conversations, but you will truly be leaving a place better than how you found it.
OUR GOALS:
#5: REDUCE PRINTED BROCHURES BY 50% BY 2025
#6: ELIMINATE AS MANY UNNECESSARY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS FROM OUR OPERATIONS & ITINERARIES BY 2022
AT OUR OFFICES
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BROCHURES MADE OF RESPONSIBLY SOURCED MATERIALS
♦ While our goal at TTC is to reduce printed brochures by 50% by 2025, we’re ensuring the remainder is sourced responsibly. The body of all Trafalgar, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations, AAT Kings, Contiki, Adventure World Travel, Evan Evans Tours and Insight Vacations brochures are produced from 100% LEIPA paper. This recyled post-consumer waste paper is recognized as the most eco-friendly solution for publishing printed catalogues. LEIPA papers are certified according to leading environmental standards. At Luxury Gold, Uniworld and African Travel, Inc., print brochure covers come from PEFC-certified, sustainably managed forests that ensure the strictest environmental, social and economic requirements.
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BAN & SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT POLICY
♦ In 2018 we committed to eliminate all unnecessary single-use plastics from our offices, eliminating more than 20 types. In 2019 we implemented a Sustainable Procurement Policy to ensure our teams consider responsibly sourced, plastic-free items when making purchases, as well as the end-of-life disposal to ensure we recycle or reuse items as much as possible. This policy serves as the driving tool for our business’s needs while maintaining the highest ethical standards to avoid harmful effects on the environment.
COMPOSTING PROGRAMS
♦ Our composting program, implemented at our various offices in employee cafeterias, allows us to further reduce the amount of waste generated on a daily basis.
ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESS CARDS
♦ In order to reduce its footprint and to keep Africa at the heart of everything at Lion World Travel, all business cards are printed on paper consisting of sanitized fiber from the dung of elephants, rhinos, and other wild African herbivores.
AT OUR PROPERTIES
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UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISES
♦ Uniworld River Cruises, like our Red Carnation Hotels, partners with Leitha CleanCoat to implement electrostatic spray cleaning in response to COVID-19. This type of cleaning is proven to reduce microbes such as bacteria and viruses without using toxic chemicals or single-use plastics. Learn more>
♦ Uniworld has replaced its toiletries with bamboo alternatives.
ON OUR TRIPS
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ELIMINATION OF SINGLE-USE WATER BOTTLES
♦ Our efforts to eliminate all unnecessary single-use plastics extends to the itineraries of The Travel Corporation’s family of brands. We’ve eliminated the sale of plastic water bottles on our trips. Our guests are made aware well in advance and encouraged to pack a reusable water bottle, while our Travel Directors and Managers ensure multiple water refill opportunities throughout their trips.
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
♦ To encourage responsible consumption and reduce waste, in 2017 we began planting a tree for each guest who chose to receive their travel documents digitally. Through this program, more than 200,000 trees have been planted across 600-plus acres throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, in partnership with One Tree Planted. In 2020, in order to further reduce our impact and provide our guests with maximum santiation and efficiency, TTC transitioned exclusively to electronic documents. Eliminating paper documents allows us to save trees and reduce paper waste.
ENGAGING OUR SUPPLIERS
♦ Contiki subsidises 50% of the cost of its reusable, foldable, and travel-friendly water bottle which uses an advanced filtration system that removes 99.95% of bacteria and 99.97% of protozoa. This creates clean and safe drinking water anywhere in the world, and removes the need for harmful single-use plastics, protecting the planet while saving guests money, too.
♦ Contiki’s clothing collection with sustainable fashion platform Teemill is part of the circular fashion economy, manufactured using certified organic farming methods and print-on-demand technology powered by renewable energy, ensuring no waste.
♦ The Travel Corporation (TTC) and its family of brands engage with our suppliers on sustainability practices that empower responsible consumption. For example, Trafalgar and Insight Vacations work with our packaging and promotional material provider MaCher on plastic reduction allowing them to reduce their environmental impact, encourage change with their suppliers, and provide sustainable options to their partners and guests.
OUR PROGRESS
Our annual Impact Report details progress made by The Travel Corporation’s portfolio of brands against the 11 goals of our 5-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right, launched in September, 2020. Learn more >
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