Bins might not be the most glamorous of topics, but this week TTG Media – and a host of other travel businesses – have been getting excited about rubbish.
More specifically, brochure wrapping, and what can be done to recycle the masses of plastic that come with the brochures that are delivered to agents.
TTG Media has teamed up with Gold Medal and Travel 2, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, Norwegian Cruise Line and BP’s TradeGate to pilot a new scheme that could help resolve this issue.
Special bins for brochure wrappings will be provided to 150 agents, which will be collected weekly and the plastic then recycled.
Despite lengthy debates on the topic – and an infamous U-turn by Tui, which once vowed to scrap them altogether – it seems brochures are here to stay.
MORE: Travel firms take action on shrink wrap
At the same time, the travel industry – including TTG Media – is growing increasingly aware of its carbon footprint, which is why TTG is investing in the project.
A recent survey by Travel Counsellors found that 73% of the 500 UK consumers questioned said sustainable travel is now a factor to consider when selecting a travel provider, proving this is an important topic to customers too.
TTG Media established a new vision in April to promote a smarter, better, fairer travel industry, and since then we’ve been challenging ourselves and the industry to do more to champion sustainability.
We were thrilled to have this work recognised at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards last week when TTG Media was crowned Independent Publishing Company of the Year.
But we know this is just a small step in our journey to achieving our ambition.
As Hurtigruten’s Richard Adams points out: “This issue is enormous. And as an industry we can do more.” However small the step, all of us can start taking positive action today.
Find contacts for 260+ travel suppliers. Type name, company or destination.