Our impact on the environment
Within tourism destinations
We market holidays that are taking steps to actively reduce the negative impact of tourism on the local environment – this is integral to our business. Every holiday on the site has been screened for its environmental criteria. The holidays must show evidence of waste reduction and waste management initiatives and they must also demonstrate that visitors are provided with suggestions of how to reduce water use in the destination as well as information on how to minimise damage to the local environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems during their visit.
In this regard, we are leading the way in tourism by bringing together in one place thousands of holidays that are helping to create innovative environmentally-friendly business solutions.
Carbon reduction
As a business, we are encouraging people to take fewer flights each year and take fewer, longer breaks as part of their overall efforts to reduce their carbon emissions. During 2007 we increased the number of UK holidays on our site by over 200% and we now offer UK travellers plenty of responsible holiday options closer to home.
We actively promote train travel on the site and we have a dedicated product section for ‘Lower carbon travel' holidays – the people behind these holidays have gone that extra mile to help travellers choose more environmentally friendly methods of transport.
As part of our ethos around reducing short haul flying, we have written to MPs with our recommendations on tackling increasing emissions from aviation. Justin Francis also speaks regularly at industry events on this issue. In addition, we publicise our views via the national media and meet with both travel and environmental journalists to discuss such issues.
We were among the first travel organisations to introduce carbon offsets in early 2002, and now we are one of the first to remove them for environmental reasons. You can read more about this decision on our carbon caution & advice page.
Of course, carbon reduction does not stop with the flight. We are working with our members to encourage energy saving initiatives within destinations too.
Office environmental, recycling and waste policy
responsibletravel.com is committed to:
Our actions are guided by the principles: reduce, reuse then recycle.
We market holidays that are taking steps to actively reduce the negative impact of tourism on the local environment – this is integral to our business. Every holiday on the site has been screened for its environmental criteria. The holidays must show evidence of waste reduction and waste management initiatives and they must also demonstrate that visitors are provided with suggestions of how to reduce water use in the destination as well as information on how to minimise damage to the local environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems during their visit.
In this regard, we are leading the way in tourism by bringing together in one place thousands of holidays that are helping to create innovative environmentally-friendly business solutions.
Carbon reduction
As a business, we are encouraging people to take fewer flights each year and take fewer, longer breaks as part of their overall efforts to reduce their carbon emissions. During 2007 we increased the number of UK holidays on our site by over 200% and we now offer UK travellers plenty of responsible holiday options closer to home.
We actively promote train travel on the site and we have a dedicated product section for ‘Lower carbon travel' holidays – the people behind these holidays have gone that extra mile to help travellers choose more environmentally friendly methods of transport.
As part of our ethos around reducing short haul flying, we have written to MPs with our recommendations on tackling increasing emissions from aviation. Justin Francis also speaks regularly at industry events on this issue. In addition, we publicise our views via the national media and meet with both travel and environmental journalists to discuss such issues.
We were among the first travel organisations to introduce carbon offsets in early 2002, and now we are one of the first to remove them for environmental reasons. You can read more about this decision on our carbon caution & advice page.
Of course, carbon reduction does not stop with the flight. We are working with our members to encourage energy saving initiatives within destinations too.
Office environmental, recycling and waste policy
responsibletravel.com is committed to:
- continuous improvement in all areas within this policy;
- the education and training of all employees in environmental issues and the environmental effects of their activities;
- being a 'paperless' office as much as possible (no fax or photocopier machines, vast majority of communication by email not letter, no unnecessary printing). Our business is 100% web-based.
Our actions are guided by the principles: reduce, reuse then recycle.
- 'Paperless' office except for essential documentation.
- Both sides of paper to be used and then all paper to be recycled.
- As many materials as possible should be recycled in the office bins provided, including:
- paper, envelopes and cardboard
- printer cartridges
- glass, cans, plastic and tetrapaks
- The recycling is collected by local recycling company Magpie.
- Recycled products (e.g. bin bags, paper, toilet roll etc.) to be used wherever possible.
- All compostable matter (e.g. fruit peelings, food etc.) is disposed of via the office wormery.
- All sanitary waste is collected and disposed of by an environmentally licensed company.
- We keep all stamps and donate these to a charity.
- Public transport rather than private vehicles should be used by staff whilst on company business.
- Employees are encouraged to use public transport or walk to work (currently 95% do so).
- All staff must turn off PCs and electrical items and not leave them on standby over night / during holidays.
- We are currently in discussions with our landlord regarding a ‘greener’ energy provider.
- The use of biodegradable chemicals where possible and refilling of containers where possible. Our office cleaning company Green Mop also advocates this policy and was chosen for its green principles.
- Fairtrade coffee and tea.
- When buying furniture, it should be made from sustainable (managed) forests or sourced from local charity shops where possible.
- Old furniture and equipment is donated to local charities where possible.
- We expect similar environmental standards from our suppliers where possible.