Pictured above at the Warsaw, Poland, office of BCD Travel (from left): Anna Paluch, director of program management; Adam Kuna, managing director; Katarzyna Ratynska, director of operations; and Anna Potocka, director of finance.
We’re proud to announce that seven of our global offices are now officially single-use plastic (SUP) free. SUP-free offices are part of our ambitious commitment to eliminate 100% of SUPs in our operations by 2030 – a goal that underscores our broader environmental and social responsibility strategy. This announcement, shared at the same time as World Environment Day (WED), coincides with this year’s global theme: Ending Plastic Pollution.
Why eliminating single-use plastics matters
Single-use plastics are among the most harmful pollutants on the planet. Designed for convenience, they often end up in landfills and oceans – taking hundreds of years to decompose and endangering ecosystems and wildlife along the way. Reducing our plastic use is just one part of how we’re tackling waste. We’re also committed to repurposing or recycling 100% of our IT equipment by 2030, helping to reduce waste and extend the life of valuable materials. This supports a circular approach – one that prioritizes reusing, refurbishing, and recycling resources to minimize environmental impact and keep materials in use for as long as possible.
“As a digital travel services company, we don’t manufacture materials or products that result in significant landfill waste. Still, we recognize the magnitude of the global waste crisis and our responsibility to reduce waste from our operations,” said Olivia Ruggles-Brise, Vice President, Sustainability.
Our 2030 target is backed by a clear KPI: to eliminate the most common single-use plastic items typically found in the office settings, including beverage cups and lids, plastic cutlery, food containers, straws, and lightweight bags, as outlined in Directive (EU) 2019/904. We’re also working to improve waste handling across our operations to minimize what we send to landfills.
How our first SUP-free offices reached the goal
The journey to a plastic-free office starts with practical, scalable solutions. Our offices in Beijing, Fleet, Guangzhou, Lille, Montpellier, Warsaw, and Zurich have embraced this challenge with creativity and collaboration. Here are just a few of the initiatives that helped them succeed:
- Buying in bulk – Replacing single-serve tea, coffee, and sugar packets with dispensers; upgrading machines to avoid plastic pods.
- Bring your own mug – Encouraging staff to use reusable mugs and water bottles instead of disposable cups.
- Sustainable swaps – Substituting biodegradable or reusable alternatives for wipes, utensils, and cups.
- Smart sizing – Choosing larger milk containers and installing water dispensers instead of offering bottled water.
A grassroots effort with personal impact
These changes are about more than meeting a corporate goal – they reflect a shift in mindset that extends beyond the office.
“Achieving a 100% plastic-free office was a collective effort driven by our team’s shared commitment to sustainability,” said Anna Kowaleska, office manager for BCD Travel Poland. “We started by assessing our plastic use, replacing items like plastic tea bags with paper alternatives, sourcing reusable products, and making more conscious daily choices.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact – not just on the environment, but on our team culture. This initiative has strengthened our sense of responsibility and inspired us to make sustainable changes at home, too. It’s a step toward a greener future for us and the next generation.”
What’s next?
With seven offices already meeting the standard, our focus now shifts to expanding these best practices across our entire network. The path to 2030 is clear – and it starts with each of us making smarter, more sustainable choices every day.
