Sustainable Policy Handbook
We’ve always believed that travel should give more than it takes. The world, with all its fragile beauty and quiet strength, deserves to be enriched by our footsteps, not burdened by them. To us, sustainability is more than a project or a checkbox; it’s the way we think, move, and belong to the places we touch.
Travel, at its best, transforms both the traveler and the land. When we trek through the Himalayas, share a smile with a tea-house owner, or listen to a river’s endless story, we are reminded that adventure and responsibility are not opposites. They are companions.
This handbook is a reflection of that belief, our way of saying that mindful exploration can protect what we love most. We’re constantly learning, improving, and evolving. Some changes are small, switching off a light, choosing refillable bottles, buying from local hands. Others are bigger, reducing waste, measuring our impact, or rethinking how we build partnerships. But all of them begin with intention.
Sustainability, for us, is not a trend. It’s a promise. A promise to move gently, to listen deeply, and to make sure that every journey leaves a positive trace behind, in the mountains, in communities, and in hearts.
Commitment to Evolement
Sustainability is a path that keeps unfolding. We understand that caring for the earth and its people requires constant learning and renewal. The world changes, and so must we.
Whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, finding new ways to manage waste, or reimagining how we use resources, we try to remain students of the journey, curious, humble, and alert to what the planet teaches us. The mountains remind us to be patient, rivers to stay adaptable, and forests to renew ourselves with every season. In their wisdom, we find our direction to keep improving, evolving, and moving forward with purpose.
Sustainable Partnerships & Certifications
Our work begins with relationships, the kind that are built slowly, like trust between old friends.
We collaborate with home-run lodges, family-run teahouses, and local suppliers who share our respect for land and people. Our partnerships are not limited to logistics, but they are about shared values and mutual growth.
By choosing partners who uphold responsible tourism standards, we ensure that the benefits of travel stay where they belong, in the hands of local communities. Our pursuit of sustainability certifications is about accountability and a way to make sure our words stay rooted in action, not just credentials.
Traveler Education
Our eco-conscious approach begins with our travelers. Footprint Adventure strives to assist our guests with the environmental, social, and cultural sensitivities of the destinations. We educate our travelers by giving them the knowledge and tools to make smart, responsible decisions on the road. Through pre-trip educational materials, in-destination orientation, and ongoing communication, we make sure our guests understand the importance of sustainable practices and the reasons behind them. By actively involving them in responsible travel, we encourage them to contribute positively, sustainably, and meaningfully towards the places they visit.
Impact Measurement
At Footprint Adventure, we value transparency. We are committed to monitoring the environmental and social impacts of our operations to ensure that our sustainability efforts are impactful and effective. We monitor some key performance indicators such as energy conservation, waste minimization, water usage, and community contribution. We are open about our performances so that our guests, partners, and stakeholders can see the true impact of their travel experience. Transparency is a central belief that informs the way we behave, to the extent that we try to innovate and contribute to the broader common good.
Local Community Empowerment
One of our principles is empowering our source communities. We are strongly committed to making sure there is a genuine positive social and economic impact wherever we go. Through our sustainable tourism operations, we support local jobs, offering a fair wage and training schemes that allow locals to develop sustainable livelihoods in the tourism industry. We also work closely with local organizations in conservation projects. Through our focus on long-term empowerment, we believe that the benefits of tourism extend far beyond our clients, benefiting local communities for years to come.
Holistic Sustainability
To us, sustainability is a three-dimensional pursuit. It's not just about saving the environment; it's about social justice and economic well-being. We employ an integrated design that brings all three aspects of sustainability, environment, social, and economy together into what we do. From reducing our carbon footprint and waste to ensuring that our guides and local partners receive a fair income and are provided with opportunities for development, we employ a cross-disciplinary strategy that constructs a sustainable, inclusive, and balanced future. By folding all business operations into sustainability concepts, we ensure that our impact is positive and long-lasting in every aspect of responsible tourism.
Animal Welfare Policy
Excursions and attractions in which captive wildlife is held are not offered, except for activities that are properly regulated and are in compliance with local, national, and international laws. Any activities that violate animal rights or involve unlawful handling and trading are strictly prohibited and call for action under the court of law.
Energy Reduction Policy
Waste Reduction & Zero‑Waste Policy
We have a proper segregation and processing strategy in place for our regular operations and destinations. Our collaboration with Doko Recyclers has further opened doors for our institute to be mindful and responsible in our waste management practices. During trekking season, waste is collected from various trekking trails in Nepal and is further handed over to Doko Recyclers.
Our goal is to move toward zero waste in our operations. So, we prioritize waste prevention as the most effective way to reduce environmental impact using the 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot (compost).
5R Principles Explained
- Refuse: Say no to unnecessary disposables (single-use plastics, promotional freebies, over-packaged items).
- Reduce: Use less, avoid excess packaging, leverage bulk supplies, and avoid unnecessary purchases.
- Reuse: Opt for refillables (toner, soap), durable furniture, and repair before discarding.
- Recycle: Sort and recycle paper, plastics, glass, electronics, and compost organics.
- Rot: Compost food scraps and biodegradable waste on-site or through community composting.
Practical Waste‑Saving Actions
- Use refillable products (soap dispensers, toner cartridges).
- Purchase in bulk, designed to avoid small, excessive packaging.
- Replace single-use items with reusable alternatives: bottles, cups, and cutlery.
- Prioritize long-lasting, repairable goods and donate or sell surplus furniture/equipment.
- Encourage staff and guests to finish single-use items before disposal.
- Avoid hazardous materials and favor eco-friendly substitutes.
- Ensure guests are encouraged to use refillable water stations instead of plastic bottles.
Managing E-Waste
- Dispose of shelved electronics through Doko Recyclers.
- If the equipment still works, donate or resell.
- Data-sensitive items (phones, cables) are handed in to certified recycling organizations.
- Cutting brochure printing volume by 50% or to 500 copies annually
- Increasing bulk purchasing to at least 25%
Child Protection Policy
At Footprint Adventure, we believe that protecting children is everybody's responsibility. We hereby promise that every child who crosses our path in operation shall be safe, dignified, and well taken care of by adopting the policy. We commit to working in collaboration, raising awareness, and taking responsibility to make the world a safer place for children and the tourism industry more responsible in Nepal.
The policy ensures a thoughtful approach to the protection of children, emphasizing cultural sensitivity, conformity with the law, and actionable practice.
Purchase Policy
Footprint Adventure is committed to implementing sustainability into all purchasing activities by prioritizing eco-friendly products and services that reduce environmental impact. This policy grades goods that can be recycled, are made from recyclable products, and are certified. Every department at Footprint Adventure is encouraged to implement environmental and social implications into purchasing decisions sustainably.
Feedback Mechanism
Footprint Adventure is always evolving. We believe that the best way to improve is to listen to those who care most: our travelers and the communities we serve. We actively seek out feedbacks from our customers, encouraging them to share their experiences and how we can improve. This two-way dialogue allows us to hone our practices, adapt to face new challenges, and continually improve the sustainability of our operations. By remaining receptive to feedback, we keep our sustainability initiatives dynamic and responsive to the constantly changing world of responsible tourism.
For more details, contact:
Salona Dhungana, Sustainability Coordinator
+977 9803216101
Footprint Adventure