World Expeditions is the first adventure travel company to partner with new global Responsible Travel organisation, ’10 Pieces’, in a collaboration to reduce litter in remote wilderness areas.

According to World Expeditions’ Responsible Travel Manager, Donna Lawrence, the 10 Pieces ethos complements perfectly the World Expeditions commitment to the seven principals of outdoor ethics set out by international not for profit, Leave No Trace.

“Previously we have encouraged our travellers to “take only photographs, leave only footprints” and now, we’ll be encouraging them to “take only photographs and 10 pieces of litter, leave only footprints,” Ms Lawrence said.

“World Expeditions treks operate on the basis that all litter produced by our trekking groups is carried out and responsibly disposed – and the collaboration with 10 Pieces allows us to take it one step further,” she said. “We’ve identified trails in the Himalaya that, due to tourism, are littered in some sections and we’re asking our travellers to collect 10 pieces of litter, which we then dispose of responsibly.”

World Expeditions trialled the initiative during the spring 2014 trekking season in Bhutan and the first participants were very keen to be involved. Ken and Helen Mills were on one of the first treks to trial the initiative when they trekked as part of a private group in Bhutan and guides reported that their group picked up an extra-ordinary amount of litter.

“We were delighted to be a part of the 10 Pieces project,” Ken said. “Remote regions are often without infrastructure for rubbish disposal because their own rubbish is traditionally biodegradable.”

“Other people on the trail clapped us as we collected litter and some monks passing gave us their blessings,” he said. “It was a wonderfully rewarding experience.”

Following the success of the Bhutan trial, World Expeditions trained Himalaya guides during its annual wilderness training program in Kathmandu in August this year, so the initiative can be rolled out in the Everest region of Nepal this trekking season.

World Expeditions invites our Bhutan and Everest trekkers to volunteer to participate in the 10 Pieces initiative. Those who volunteer are asked to bring a pair of gloves and hand sanitiser and World Expeditions provides participants with a collection bag and a sack for gloves. At a specific spot along the trail those participating are asked to spend just a few minutes collecting litter. Ten is a nominal number that draws on the notion that our small individual actions collectively have a big impact. Participants are, of course, welcome to collect more. Local crew then ensure that the litter is incinerated responsibly.

Lisa Vitaris, of 10 Pieces, said she is very excited that World Expeditions is on-board as the organisation’s first adventure travel partner.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with World Expeditions and very happy that the trial treks in Bhutan were so successful, Ms Vitaris said. “We invite other tour companies to follow World Expeditions’ lead and get involved.”

More information at www.worldexpeditions.com or www.10pieces.com.au

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Notes for editors: Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned itself an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys. The two factors that distinguish World Expeditions from its competitors are the number of inclusions and the exceptional value of its trips. The company offers more than 500 stand-alone itineraries, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed for those travellers who want to take the ‘paths less travelled’. Always innovative, it was the first company to offer cycling holidays in India (1977) and China (1978) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980) and Tibet (1981). In 2013, it launched a dedicated ‘World Cycle Journeys’ programme and, as of 2011, is the only company to offer the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail. World Expeditions is independently owned and a truly global company, with nine offices around the world, including Sydney, London and Montreal. For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Michele Eckersley, at World Expeditions, on +61 2 8270 8400; mobile +61 422 726 344 or email michele@worldexpeditions.com.au