On the Road to Zero Plastic: How Conscious Travel Is Reshaping India

It’s that time of year when the world pauses to reflect on our relationship with the environment. But what if your next travel or stay could do more than relax you, what if it could help the planet too? As World Environment Day 2025 casts a spotlight on the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution,” India's travel and hospitality sectors are making significant strides toward sustainability. Despite the country's position as the world's largest producer of plastic waste, generating approximately 9.3 million tonnes annually, there's a growing movement within the industry to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.

From hotels across the country adopting comprehensive waste management practices, including source segregation and composting and minimising their environmental footprint to India officially permitting the use of recycled plastics in food-grade applications, signaling a commitment to a circular economy and encouraging eco-friendly practices within the hospitality sector, the time has come for us to look beyond the conventional sustainable methods.

From remote wilderness retreats to heritage-inspired escapes and mindful tour operators, India’s travel sector is embracing a greener, cleaner way forward. The focus is shifting beyond simply minimising impact, it’s about travelling with purpose and leaving plastic behind.

One Bag at a Time

For Intrepid Travel, this year’s theme is business as usual. “In India, we’ve been saying no to plastic for over 18 years by providing every arriving customer with a reusable tote bag,” shares Rama Mahendru, Country General Manager - India at Intrepid Travel. Their newest initiative, which is swapping plastic water bottles for glass ones across 10 partner hotels, reflects the brand’s grounded, global mission.

“As a certified B Corporation, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint through practical, on-the-ground actions,” she adds. Beyond operations, the company also focuses on education and community awareness, understanding that behaviour change is just as critical as infrastructure.

In the Wild, Less Is More

As India’s protected forests and biodiversity hotspots face mounting pressure from climate change, plastic pollution, and unregulated tourism, a new generation of eco-stays is quietly reshaping the way we experience the wild. Jungle Camps India is one such example, proving that true luxury lies in treading lightly.

“For us, sustainability is a business compass,” says Gajendra Singh Rathore, Managing Director of Jungle Camps India. “We operate within India's most fragile and vital ecosystems, some of them crucial wildlife corridors and we know that our presence must heal more than it harms."

According to the Wildlife Institute of India, over 30 per cent of India’s forests fall within eco-sensitive zones, where even limited human interference can have long-term impacts on biodiversity. In such areas, Rathore believes that regenerative travel, an approach that not only sustains but revitalises ecosystems and local communities, is the only ethical path forward.

At Jungle Camps, this translates to earth-conscious building practices, hyper-local food sourcing, and a strong emphasis on community-based employment. The lodges prioritise low-impact living, minimise plastic usage, and advocate for waste reduction through guest education and on-site practices.

“Our forests are not backdrops,” Rathore reminds us. “They are living, breathing sanctuaries deserving of reverence, not extraction. Through conscious hospitality, we aim to inspire guests, uplift communities, and conserve landscapes, continuing on our mission to develop India as an inspiring eco-tourism destination.”

What Data Tells Us

It’s not just companies, travellers themselves are demanding change. According to Booking.com’s 10th edition of Travel & Sustainability Report 2025, 87 per cent of Indian travellers intend to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months. Half plan to reduce waste and prioritise eco-conscious accommodations.

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com, explains, “Indian travellers are demonstrating a clear and growing commitment to sustainable travel — not just in their intentions, but in their actions.”

More tellingly, 74 per cent now actively look for sustainable filters while booking their stays, and 71 per cent expect clear sustainability labels. As Kumar puts it, “From opting for greener transport and reducing waste, to actively seeking accommodations with credible sustainability credentials, Indians today are looking to make a meaningful difference. At Booking.com, we aim to make every step of the travel journey more meaningful and aligned with the values of today’s conscious Indian traveller through highlighting stays with credible third-party sustainability certifications or equipping properties with the training and guidance they need to reduce their environmental impact.”

Heritage, the Sustainable Way
Luxury and sustainability don’t have to be opposites. At WelcomHeritage Hotels, eco-conscious living is deeply entwined with cultural preservation. “Many of our hotels have eliminated single-use plastics, adopted eco-friendly alternatives, and actively reduce food waste through mindful consumption,” says Ashutosh Chhibba, CEO.

Whether it’s EV charging stations at Solan, solar panels in Kasauli, or organic farming at Jawai and Ranakpur, the group is creating a blueprint for plastic-free, heritage-rich hospitality.

“At WelcomHeritage, every stay contributes to a more sustainable and culturally rich future,” Chhibba adds, and that future seems closer than ever.

Travel Services Behind the Scenes

Sustainability in travel doesn’t end at the hotel lobby or the forest trail. It begins much earlier, often behind the scenes. Visa processing, documentation, and global mobility solutions are also evolving to meet the climate challenge.

“Sustainability is not a choice, it's a responsibility. At BLS International, we’ve embedded this ethos into every layer of our operations,” says Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director at BLS International. “From paperless visa processing to decentralised service centres that reduce travel-related emissions, we’re actively building a greener mobility ecosystem.”

With ISO 14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management Systems, BLS International underscores its commitment to sustainable growth. The company promotes eco-conscious workplace habits, engages internal teams in sustainability awareness, and works with global partners to align efforts with ESG goals.

“As a trusted citizen services partner to over 46 governments, we remain committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to driving long-term, systemic change in the travel and visa ecosystem,” Aggarwal adds.

This World Environment Day, the question isn’t whether your travels leave a footprint, it’s what kind. Choosing a glass bottle over a plastic one, staying at a lodge that respects the land, or booking a hotel that grows its own food, these aren’t just trends. They’re powerful choices that ripple far beyond your itinerary.