BOYERTOWN, Pennsylvania (July 1, 2025) – ClimeCo, a global leader in decarbonization, and Road Scholar, the not-for-profit world leader in educational travel for older adults, are celebrating the measurable impact of their partnership supporting TONTOTON plastic waste recovery projects in Vietnam and Cambodia. Since 2022, Road Scholar has partnered with ClimeCo to fund the reclamation of 40 metric tonnes of plastic waste in Vietnam, equivalent to removing 2.6 million plastic water bottles. This plastic, which would otherwise pollute the ocean, is transformed into fuels and raw materials that replace coal at a local manufacturing facility, advancing both circular economy goals and climate resilience.
“Our mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover, and travel,” said Chris Heppner, Road Scholar’s Vice President of Communications. “Supporting TONTOTON empowers us to deepen our mission by actively contributing to the health of the planet and its global communities. This Plastic Free July, we encourage travelers around the world to join us in removing ocean-bound plastic and to learn about TONTOTON.
More than 20 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in aquatic ecosystems every year[1], which is equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic dumped into our rivers, lakes, and oceans daily. TONTOTON diverts orphan plastic from polluting rural coastal communities in Vietnam and Cambodia, improving the quality of life, public health, and economic opportunities from tourism and fishing.
Beyond the circularity and positive environmental impact made by TONTOTON, the social and economic resilience impacts on the local communities are also notable – providing financial support to waste pickers and households, enabling them to collect non-recyclable plastic while improving their livelihoods. This project also offers continuing education, ethical working conditions, family support programs, and initiatives like house renovations for waste pickers.
“We’re proud to partner with Road Scholar, an organization that values not just the journey but the impact of that journey,” said Linda Kelly, SVP of Product Certification Programs, ClimeCo. “Plastic Free July is a time to act, a powerful and easy opportunity to help divert ocean-bound plastic by supporting TONTOTON.”
To learn more about TONTOTON, please visit: https://shop.climeco.com/plastic-free-july/
1. United Nations Environment Programme – Plastic Pollution
About ClimeCo
ClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our team of respected scientists and industry experts collaborates with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand. Partner with ClimeCo to drive meaningful environmental change and take your climate initiatives to new heights.
Contact us at +1 484.415.0501, info@climeco.com, or through our website climeco.com.
About Road Scholar
Not-for-profit Road Scholar is the world leader in educational experiences for older adults, serving 90,000 lifelong learners annually. Founded as “Elderhostel” in 1975, Road Scholar programs combine travel and education to provide experiential learning opportunities featuring an extraordinary range of topics, formats, activity levels, and locations—on all seven continents and throughout the United States. Alongside renowned experts, participants experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities by land and by sea on educational travel adventures designed for curious adventurers over 50. For more information, see roadscholar.org/presskit. Stay up-to-date on the latest news by following Road Scholar on Instagram (@RoadScholar) and Facebook.
Media contacts:
Kelsey Knoedler Perri at kelsey.perri@roadscholar.org
Megen DiSanto at media@climeco.com
