As Earth Day approaches, it’s essential to reflect on our impact on the planet and consider how we can make a positive difference. At Incredible Adventures, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a core value that has guided our business practices for over a decade. From promoting eco-friendly tourism to implementing green initiatives in our operations, we’re committed to minimizing our environmental footprint and preserving the natural beauty of our planet for future generations to enjoy. We Know What It Means To Be Green!
Leading the Way in Sustainable Tourism
Incredible Adventures has been at the forefront of sustainable tourism for over 10 years. Long before terms like “eco-tourism” and “green business” gained popularity, we were implementing responsible practices to minimize our impact on the destinations we visit. One notable initiative is our use of Biodiesel fuel to power our fleet of vehicles, making us the first commercial tour company in San Francisco to do so.
Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning, locally produced, non-toxic fuel made from recycled cooking oil and renewable plant-based stocks. Despite its higher cost compared to traditional petroleum-based fuel, we believe in the long-term benefits of using sustainable alternatives. In fact, we were so committed to this cause that we established our own Biodiesel fueling station, Dogpatch Biofuels, to not only power our tours but also provide an alternative fuel source for our community.
Driving Towards a Greener Future
Our fleet of 13-32 passenger mini-coaches operates exclusively on renewable biofuel, specifically RB20 fuel—a blend of 20% pure domestic Biodiesel and 80% HDR Renewable Diesel. This blend not only meets California’s strict environmental regulations but also ensures that our tours have minimal impact on the environment.
The Renewable Diesel in our RB20 blend currently comes from Singapore, blended with local California recycled content B100. This is not as local of a purchase as the B99.9 previously used, but we are still supporting a local business (Dogpatch Biofuels), having a positive environmental impact, and displacing petroleum. We are making every effort we can to hit the highest blend ceiling allowable by the state regulations. We will continue to prioritize sourcing both Renewable Diesel and Biodiesel from local manufacturers, whenever possible, and we continue to lobby to increase the blend ceiling.
In addition to our commitment to sustainable fuel, we’ve taken steps to reduce our overall environmental footprint. We run a nearly paperless office, with only seven reams of paper purchased in our 14 years of business. When paper is necessary, we opt for post-consumer recycled paper and soy-based inks for our marketing materials, despite the higher cost.
Looking Ahead: Our Sustainable Journey Continues
At Incredible Adventures, our dedication to sustainability doesn’t end with our current initiatives. We’re continuously exploring new ways to minimize our environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices. To further our commitment, we’ve joined industry leaders and organizations to enhance our sustainability efforts.
We’re proud to be a Certified California Green Business and are actively involved in the California Green Business Network, contributing to creating a vibrant green economy while conserving resources and saving money. Additionally, we’re working towards international certification with Travelife, a leading initiative for sustainable tourism companies.
Furthermore, we’re expanding our local recycling program to divert more waste from landfills. Partnering with organizations like Ridwell, we’re able to recycle a wide range of materials, from plastic and cardboard to light bulbs and bottle caps.
Experience Gifting: A Sustainable Alternative
As we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on our commitment to sustainability, we recognize the importance of offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional material gifts. Experience gifting, such as our popular Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco, provides a thoughtful and sustainable way to celebrate special occasions. By supporting businesses like Incredible Adventures that prioritize sustainability, individuals can create lasting memories while minimizing their environmental footprint.
In conclusion, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a journey. At Incredible Adventures, we’re proud to lead the way towards a greener future, one tour at a time. Join us in celebrating Earth Day and making a positive impact on our planet for generations to come. To learn more about our annual initiatives be sure to check out our Sustainability Reports.
If you have any questions about any of our tours in San Francisco and how they impact the environment or local communities we visit, please contact us!
