Sustainability is the essence of Pugdundee Safaris. Our commitment towards eradicating single-use plastic has been going on for a very long time. We have managed to make our lodges completely plastic-free, and have introduced sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic products.
As a responsible wildlife tourism brand, we ensure there’s minimum impact on nature and wildlife. Therefore, we constantly work towards adapting to sustainable ideas and practices.
Although the journey of combating single-use plastic can be challenging, it’s rewarding for everyone involved in it. We need to keep in mind that single-use plastic products have been part of the tourism sector in a big way, which is why the eradication of plastic from tourism and hospitality can bring a significant change on a holistic level.
The adverse effects of single-use plastic
As the name suggests, a single-use plastic item can be used only once. Disposable plastic items, such as coffee stirrers, plastic straws, cups, food packaging, water bottles, toiletries, bin liners, and bags never really degrade completely. Instead, they become microplastics or exuviate microfibres, which take centuries to decompose in landfills. Since plastic products are not recyclable, they leach into soils and waterways and continue to pollute the environment.
According to a study-based prediction by the UN, the world will have almost 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste by 2050. Therefore, the need to change consumption and waste management is mandatory.
There’s a very little percentage of plastic, perhaps only 9%, which is burned to create energy. However, it causes a detrimental level of pollution. There are many factors that accelerate the increase in plastic pollution – high use of single-use plastic products, plastic packaging, inept waste management systems, and inadequate recycling rates.
Plastic, along with the ecological imbalance, also contributes significantly to harming the health and wellbeing of varied species. Hence, we collectively need to work towards eliminating single-use plastic in every way possible.
The measures to eliminate single-use plastic
While it’s not so easy to change human behaviour so fast, the behaviour of tourists is influenced by the available opportunities and information. We need to give our guests alternative products, which can inspire them to implement environmentally-friendly practices even when they go back home.
We also believe that a guest, after staying at a Pugdundee lodge, should become an ambassador of wildlife and conservation. The idea is to redefine the norms of tourism and facilitate steps that can make our guests sustainability conscious and adapt to responsible tourism.
COVID-19 and the single-use plastic
The fight to combat single-use plastic has become even more challenging due to COVID-19. The new health and safety protocols have added to the single-use plastic waste – bottles, gloves, and cleaning wipes.
There’s a need to employ an environmentally friendlier measure to curb this newly imposed trend while not compromising on the safety and health aspect of it.
Pugdundee Safaris has introduced QR-enabled brochures and food menus, and paperless check-ins across all its lodges, which also helps in minimizing paper waste.
The Journey of Eradicating Single-Use Plastic
Introduced reusable steel bottles
It takes 450 years for a single plastic water bottle to degrade naturally, which has a huge negative impact on the environment. By introducing reusable steel water bottles across our lodges, we have managed to reduce the consumption of over 100000 plastic water bottles in 3 years.
Our guests take back Pugdundee Safaris’ steel water bottles as souvenirs, which inspire them to contribute towards the planet’s fight against single-use plastic.
Toiletries redefined
While most of the hospitality brands fail in their commitment towards sustainability by ignoring the small single-use plastic bottles they stock up each time for their guests, before they check in, the toiletries at Pugdundee Lodges are carefully crafted to ensure there’s absolutely no harmful impact on the environment. The body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are made with organic materials and are locally sourced, which involves no packaging. They are filled in glass-made refill bottles for guests to use.
The toothbrush and earbuds are made of bamboo. The laundry bags are made of recycled factory clothes stitched by the local village women.
Plastic-free breakfast on safaris
Jungle Safaris are one of the treasured experiences that our guests enjoy while they stay with us, however, our alfresco breakfast experience makes these safaris even more memorable. We have switched to more sustainable alternatives, such as bamboo and sugarcane cutlery, and sippers containing fresh lemonades instead of canned tetra packs, leaving zero plastic waste.
Being in the tourism industry, it should be the top most priority for every player to improve and sustain the vicinities in their natural forms.
Biodegradable bamboo straws
We have also found an eco-friendlier alternative to plastic straws—the 100% biodegradable bamboo straws, which are made without any chemicals keeping the hygiene protocols in place. The straws are multi-layered with natural anti-fungal and hydrophobic outer and inner walls. They don’t get soggy or leak colour like paper straws. In fact, they can retain their shape in both warm and cold beverages for almost three hours.
Eco-friendly facial tissue, toilet roll and kitchen towels
We have come up with 100% recycled facial tissue, toilet roll, and kitchen towels made with Fibre Revive Technology—it has enhanced recycled fibre properties that give better softness and absorbency. The recycled and unbleached fibre helps to keep it sustainable, as no new agro pulp is used in its making. It minimizes the carbon footprint and environmental impact due to lower chemical usage, reduced fossil energy, and zero effluent discharge.
No packaging for tea, coffee.
We consider the carbon footprint caused by buying packaged coffee and tea. Thus, we have adapted to ethical and sustainable methods of sourcing our tea and coffee. We have minimized packaging and switched to glass containers for tea, coffee, and milk.
Involvement of local communities
Prospering is key for every business, but prospering with others and making them a part of your journey is even more rewarding. Pugdundee Safaris partners with local communities and NGOs for supplies of newspaper-based products, such as carry bags and bin liners.
We also make use of plant-based food packaging boxes for packing meals for guests.
Local Supply Chain
We reduce plastic by sourcing more than 70% of supplies from locals. Many marginal farms are a part of the supply chain, and we also buy from tribal village markets regularly.
The only products that are sourced are dairy products, fruits & vegetables, and bulk items like wheat, rice, and pulses.
Reuse and recycle waste
Waste is an inevitable aspect of a hotel. If it’s not recycled and reused effectively, it will go to landfills. Therefore, we have created our in-house Leaf Composting and Waste Composting provision.
Since there’s no plastic used at any of our lodges, the waste is naturally decomposed. The benefits of composting are many – it’s cost-effective, reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfills, and the soil made from composting is ideal for enriching the foliage on our properties. Besides, composting makes it possible for our guests to differentiate us from the other players and convey our 360-degree commitment towards the environment.
Collaboration with communities
Our sustainability drive isn’t just restricted within our lodges, but it’s evident even outside of it, where we continue our efforts by not harming community resources like water, natural resources, and energy, understanding what our local community expects, giving them equal opportunities in jobs, local contracts, and keeping the communication transparent.
Other initiatives towards sustainability – priority to local employment, priority to local procurement, and taking social responsibility in the form of conducting local education programs.
To get rid of single-use plastic completely, we need to educate and create awareness amongst the local communities about the harmful impacts of plastic on the ecosystem.
The hospitality and experiences at Pugdundee Safaris Lodges personify eco-friendliness.
As you plan your wildlife escape to India, get in touch with our trip curators at Pugdundee Safaris.
Call us at: +91-9718637711, +91-8800637711 Email: [email protected]
We promise you a wildlife experience that is sustainable, authentic and unforgettable.
