You Asked. We Listened. Meet Our New Sustainable Neck Wallets
- New Sustainable Travel Gear: Road Scholar has launched new neck wallets made from 100% recycled water bottles, directly responding to participant requests for more sustainable product options.
- Participant-Driven Change: This update was driven by community feedback, highlighting Road Scholar's commitment to listening to our participants and co-creating a more responsible journey.
- Flexible Opt-In/Opt-Out System: To reduce waste, first-time participants will receive the new neck wallet and can opt out of future ones. Returning travelers have the flexibility to opt in or out based on their needs.
- Commitment to Sustainability: This initiative is part of Road Scholar's larger sustainability mission to protect the environment and communities, reinforcing its identity as a not-for-profit educational travel organization.
You shared your thoughts. You asked for more sustainable choices. And we listened. Now we’re excited to introduce a small upgrade that makes a big difference— Road Scholar’s new neck wallets are thoughtfully and sustainably designed in response to participant feedback and our shared commitment to responsible travel.
This change is about more than travel gear. It’s about listening closely to our community of lifelong learners — and continuing to explore our world with care, curiosity and intention.
Reducing Our Footprint, One Essential at a Time
Road Scholar’s new neck wallets are made from 100% recycled water bottles, transforming plastic waste into something durable, useful and ready for the road.
It’s a simple switch, but one that reflects a larger promise. At Road Scholar, sustainability isn’t an add-on — it’s woven into how we travel, learn and connect. From the programs we design to the materials we use, every choice is an opportunity to reduce our footprint and protect the places and communities that make lifelong learning possible. Sustainability works best when it fits naturally into your journey.
By choosing recycled materials for these essentials, we’re taking one more step toward caring for the world that inspires us all.
Simple for You, Better for the Earth
We heard you wanted flexibility — so we made this update easy, empowering and participant-friendly.
- First-time participants will automatically receive the new sustainable neck wallet with program materials. After the first program, participants may opt out of receiving it again by selecting this option during registration.
- Returning participants may opt in or opt out of receiving a neck wallet during registration. This flexibility supports reduced plastic use and advances our sustainability goals.
- A change of mind? No problem. Those who opt out can always opt back in later.
Thank You for Helping Drive Positive Change
This update exists because of you — your feedback, your thoughtful questions and your shared values. Every suggestion helps us grow, improve and make choices that better serve both our community and the world we explore together.
We’re excited about this change, grateful for your voice and proud to keep moving forward — one recycled bottle at a time.
Looking Ahead: Sustainability at the Heart of Every Journey
At Road Scholar, the world is our classroom — and protecting it is part of the lesson. As a nonprofit organization, we’re committed to preserving the places, wildlife and communities that make lifelong learning possible. Donor support helps us continue weaving sustainability into the programs we offer and the choices we make across our organization.
“We are committed to offering sustainable alternatives and socially responsible activities,” says Bryn Geddes, Senior Manager, Program Sustainability. “Together, we’re proving that meaningful change doesn’t always start big — it starts with listening, learning and taking the next right step.”
