The Eco Team 2.0
Our green efforts resume with the founding of the Eco Team 2.0 at Contours Holidays. Discover our planet-friendly plans for the future.
The Eco Team 2.0
https://contourscycle.co.uk/the-eco-team-2-0
by Finn Walsh
Throughout my life, I have always loved exploring the countryside, ranging from daily strolls around city parks to strenuous hikes up mountains.
During these rambles, I am always astounded by the beauty of nature wherever it grows. Vast views of rural Wales from the Llanberis Path up to Snowdon make me feel like I’m in another world, not just a quick train journey from home. Shorter walks along Darley Abbey Park in Derby, just 10 minutes away from my flat, greet me with brightly coloured blooms of wildflower and countless squirrels bounding up and down the ancient oak trees.
But I’m also frequently struck by the growing impact people have on the natural world.
You’d think anyone who enjoys nature walks would adhere to the rules of Leave No Trace, especially the part where you take your rubbish home with you!
Unfortunately, there are some who have no care for the environment. They leave these areas in disarray with litter and illegal bonfire remnants. It is a tragedy to witness, and when I encounter these messes, I do what I can to clean them up, or even report them to the local council. (Each council website has a reporting form for fly tipping and littered areas.)
During my latest attempt to clean the picnic area in Markeaton Park, which someone had selfishly left in a state, I had the epiphany that Contours Holidays should give back to nature and do our bit to keep these wonderful areas clear and full of life.
Thus, after a five-year hiatus prompted by the pandemic, the Eco Team was rebuilt. I wanted to gather a group of like-minded people to discuss ways we, as a company and as individuals, can reduce our carbon footprint and economise our modern lifestyle.
When word went out that I was putting the Eco Team back together, ten colleagues immediately showed great interest. I needn’t have bribed them with homemade cookies — everyone came in with wonderful enthusiasm and their own ideas already in hand!
At our first meeting, we agreed that no idea would be too big or too small. A compost bin in the kitchen to handle our many tea bags (decomposable ones) or a plan to install solar panels at our office are both grand ideas to help to make us greener.
After just two months, Contours Holidays have already swapped to using 100% recycled paper for our itineraries and in-office use.
We have purchased litter grabbers and sturdy gloves for our regular litter-picking walks, we have obtained a compost bin for the office, and we have added sustainable and reusable items to our next stationary order, as opposed to buying the original single-use items.
As individuals, many of us have already made small lifestyle changes to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainability, such as swapping to eco-friendlier food sources, buying clothes second-hand or from humane and sustainable companies, making the leap to electric cars, and cycling to work instead of driving. I have even taken to carrying bin bags and gardening gloves with me on my walks to collect any litter I see.
We have several other plans still in the research phase which we hope to update you on through regular Eco Team blogs.
We have always been environmentally conscious at Contours Holidays, and we want to ramp up the volume! No matter how small a change may seem, it will always have a positive effect in keeping our countryside green and flourishing.
Senior Tour Operations Administrator
The key to success is 5% hard work and 95% making cookies for the office.
