ZERO WASTE TRAVEL

Yellowstone wildlife safari.

Natural Habitat Adventures is spearheading the world’s first zero waste trip—a travel-industry first. On the July 6-12, 2019 departure of Safari America: Yellowstone Country, 14 travelers will join this pioneering endeavor in which Nat Hab’s goal is to divert (refuse, recycle, compost, upcycle, or reuse) 99 percent or more of all waste produced as part of Nat Hab sponsored trip operations.* With the World’s First Zero Waste Adventure, Nat Hab aims to fit all waste produced on the trip into a single small container at the end, nearly eliminating the need to send any materials to a landfill or incinerator. Trip leaders will encourage travelers to refuse potential waste whenever possible, such as declining disposable straws or individually packaged condiments, minimizing the waste they produce along the route while in vehicles, lodges and camps throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The company has devised various strategies to limit trash: providing travelers with a zero waste toolkit that includes personal reusable items such as water bottles, mugs, cutlery and tote bags; transporting packed meals in reusable containers; recycling single-use packaging, including hard-to-recycle items through Terracycle; composting napkins and biodegradable food waste; and buying food in bulk. Waste reduction begins even before the trip starts, with travelers receiving digital versions of all pre-trip materials, including forms to complete and the daily itinerary.

While realizing this zero waste goal won’t be easy, Nat Hab is committed to setting a new standard for the travel industry. By demonstrating that it is possible to operate a zero waste adventure, the company hopes to motivate other operators to improve their own waste management practices