Menzies and Explore pioneer more sustainable packaging for packaged holidays

Partnership’s drive for more sustainability delivers plastic-free packaging for holiday brochures.

Menzies Distribution and adventure holiday specialist Explore Worldwide (Explore) are piloting a new initiative to remove plastic packaging from travel brochures, replacing them with a more sustainable cardboard solution. The initiative builds on work to minimise the waste from plastic wrapping traditionally used to package brochures in the travel industry, including the launch in 2019 by Menzies of a pilot to capture and recycle used material from travel agencies across England. It also follows Explore’s recent launch of carbon ratings for all its tours and its call for the rest of the travel industry to follow suit to improve transparency on the environmental impact of travel and to help consumers make more informed choices.

While the plastic wrapping previously used is recyclable, the introduction of the new recyclable cardboard packaging is a far more sustainable solution, estimated to save 25 tonnes of plastic wrap from potential landfill, and a reduced carbon impact by 13% if all customers were to make the switch.

Commenting on the initiative, David McLellan, General Manager for Menzies Response, said:

“We’re delighted to have worked with Explore Worldwide on this new approach. Our relationship spans 15 years and we continually strive to improve not only our performance in delivering for their business, but also what we can do together to create a more sustainable future.”

Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide said:

“We’re excited to be pioneering this approach in the travel sector, working with Menzies as our logistics partner. Recyclable cardboard wrapping is more sustainable for the planet and is the right way forward for the industry. It will help us towards our goal of reducing our carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, and to achieve net zero as soon as possible before 2050.”

Menzies has been recognised by its peers for its commitment to socially responsible and sustainable practices. The group was named Green Fleet of the Year for the second consecutive year at the What Van? Awards 2022, as well as winning Logistics UK’s Sustainable Van Operator of the Year, the Unipart Logistics award for Sustainability at the Supply Chain Excellence Awards and a prize for Green Innovation at the Logistics Leadership Awards.

Sustainable Business – A Force For Good – Every Day of the Week

Explore has operated sustainable small group adventures all over the world for over 40 years. It has recently added accurate carbon footprints for every one of its 500+ trips in the biggest carbon measurement project of its kind in the travel industry. It now aims to reduce all carbon emitted by 50% by 2030. A founding signatory of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency and the Glasgow Declaration, Explore is proud to have one of the best Climate Action Plans in the business. A Which? Recommended Provider for Escorted Tours, Explore holds a Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award. With an excellent track record and flexible policies in place both pre- and on-trip, Explore has continued to place huge value on trust.