Greener tourism: a collective effort to reduce waste

The tourism sector is one of the world’s biggest economic engines, but it also has a considerable environmental impact.

More and more people are exploring the world to discover new horizons, and the negative effects of tourism on our planet are becoming increasingly visible. The management of waste, particularly plastic and paper, has become one of the greatest challenges we face.

At Europ’Aventure, we firmly believe that it is possible to reconcile the pleasure of travel with the protection of the environment. With this in mind, we have made a commitment to limit the impact of our stays on nature, by implementing concrete initiatives to reduce our consumption of plastic and paper.

Our aim is to promote more responsible, planet-friendly tourism, while encouraging hikers to adopt sustainable travel practices.

Waste in the tourism industry: plastic and paper

The tourism industry is responsible for a large proportion of the waste generated every year. Plastic bottles, food packaging, disposable products and a multitude of printed tourist brochures are among the main contributors to this pollution.

One of the major sources of plastic pollution comes from single-use water bottles, which, largely unrecycled, end up polluting our oceans and beaches. In 2022, the tourism industry was identified as one of the biggest contributors to the production of single-use plastic, a material that is particularly harmful to marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

Paper, although often perceived as more environmentally friendly, is not immune to criticism. Brochures, maps, guides and other printed documents represent an excessive consumption of natural resources and a waste of materials, as these objects are often little used. Massive printing of paper documents, sometimes with low frequency of use, contributes to deforestation and consumption of energy and water.

Faced with these challenges, it has become imperative for the tourism sector to rethink its practices to reduce the use of plastic and paper, in order to limit the environmental impact on destinations.

At Europ’Aventure, we’ve chosen to make an active commitment in this direction, adopting concrete measures to minimize our ecological footprint and encourage more responsible tourism.

Europ’Aventure’s commitments to reduce these impacts

1. Encourage the use of reusable water bottles: a simple gesture for the environment

As a responsible travel agency, Europ’Aventure is proud to hold the label Travelifelabel, symbolizing our commitment to meeting strict sustainable development criteria.

As part of this approach, one of our objectives is to reduce the use of plastic during our stays as much as possible. We have therefore decided to ask all our hikers to bring their own reusable water bottles. This simple but powerful gesture has a considerable impact on reducing plastic waste.

In addition, to avoid the use of single-use plastic bottles, drinking water fountains are available in the accommodation. This allows hikers to fill their water bottles to their heart’s content. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the importance of responsible hydration, while helping to reduce plastic waste in our destinations.

2. Paper reduction: towards digitization

Paper consumption in tourism is another area where we have decided to take action. In 2024, Europ’Aventure took the initiative of no longer providing printed brochures in our travel packs. This approach is in line with our desire to limit the ecological impact of our travels and encourage the adoption of more sustainable solutions.

To take things a step further, in 2025 we decided to stop printing the roadbooks for our tours. This document, often voluminous and made up of dozens of pages, will now be available in digital format, allowing hikers to access all the information they need for their trip without having to print out additional documents.

The trekking file will contain only the essential documents: the trekking map, the trekking book (if a specific book exists), the list of hotels and the vouchers, but here again, we will offer our trekkers the possibility of receiving this information by email, thus avoiding the printing of additional papers.

3. Raising awareness and working with our partners

At Europ’Aventure, we know that our actions alone are not enough. That’s why we work actively with our partners to encourage more sustainable practices. We work closely with accommodations, transporters and other service providers to promote the adoption of responsible solutions and the reduction of waste at every stage of our tours.

Find out more about our sustainability commitments on our website.

Europ’Aventure also relies on committed partners like ATR (Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable), of which we are proud to be a member. Together, we are working to raise awareness and help hikers adopt more sustainable practices. ATR offers an excellent “Best Practices Guide to Plastic-Free Travel”, a must-have resource for reducing plastic use. Consult it here.

Together, we can make it happen: a collective commitment

Reducing plastic and paper waste in the tourism industry requires the active collaboration of all players: travelers, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, stores and many others. At Europ’Aventure, we firmly believe that this change can only happen if we all act together. Every gesture counts, and every player in the tourism sector has a role to play in reducing the ecological footprint of tourism.

We therefore call on all hikers, and all our partners, to join this collective initiative and adopt more responsible behavior, both before and during their trips. That’s how we can make a real difference and preserve the beauty of our destinations for future generations.

As a hiker, how can I reduce my ecological footprint?

Dear hikers, you are at the heart of our approach. Here are a few simple but significant gestures you can adopt to reduce your ecological impact during your travels:

1. Carry a reusable water bottle
By bringing your own reusable water bottle, you’re actively helping to reduce plastic waste. Don’t forget to fill your water bottle at accommodation and refreshment points to avoid single-use plastic bottles.

2. Go digital for your travel documents
To reduce the use of paper, consult your travel documents in digital format on your phone or tablet. We’ll send you the essential information by email before departure, reducing your need to print out documents.

3. Pick up any garbage you find along the way
If you see garbage on your route, don’t hesitate to pick it up. Whether it’s a discarded plastic bottle or other waste, every action counts. Toss them in the garbage cans provided and encourage those around you to do the same. So you can play an active part in preserving the environment, even during your trip.

4. Buy locally and without plastic packaging
When shopping, especially at local markets, opt for products without plastic packaging or choose sustainable alternatives. Use reusable bags for your purchases, reducing your plastic footprint and supporting local businesses.

5. Opt for a zero-waste toiletry bag
To reduce your ecological impact, choose toiletries without plastic packaging: bamboo toothbrushes, biodegradable cotton buds and solid soaps are excellent alternatives. Replace disposable products with solid or refillable versions, such as solid shampoos and natural deodorants. Use reusable glass or metal containers for your cosmetics, reducing plastic waste while traveling more responsibly.

Together for waste-free tourism

At Europ’Aventure, we’re convinced that it’s possible to travel while respecting the environment. By reducing the use of plastic and paper, we are taking an important first step towards sustainable tourism. However, this change can only be fully effective if all players in the sector act in concert. By working together, we can contribute to a greener future, preserve our landscapes and offer unspoilt destinations for future generations.

We therefore encourage every hiker to adopt simple but effective gestures to support our approach. Together, we have the power to reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to more planet-friendly tourism.

Change starts today, with every action we take, and every journey we make responsibly.