Souvenirs: the hidden side of holiday gifts

From Keepsake to Waste: The Environmental Footprint of the Souvenir Industry

This week we’re diving into a hot topic. We hope you enjoy this article as much as we enjoyed researching it and uncovering the global impact behind something as simple as souvenirs. Our goal? To spark a little reflection the next time you travel, so you’ll think twice before buying something that might end up in the trash.

Souvenirs are the “tangible memories” of a trip—magnets, keychains, T-shirts, mini figurines, seashells, and crafts. They look innocent enough, but there’s a hidden side we rarely talk about: single-use plastics, cheap textiles that don’t last, resin and metal trinkets, unnecessary packaging, and in some cases, items made from wildlife (like feathers or animal parts). The good news is that new regulations and creative solutions are already pushing this market toward a more sustainable, circular economy.

How Polluting Can a Souvenir Really Be?

Tourism is responsible for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions when you consider the entire supply chain—including flights, hotels, food, shopping, and yes, souvenirs. That figure comes from a meta-analysis that tracked emissions across the travel industry.

When it comes to waste, plastics take center stage. The European Union estimated that 80–85% of marine litter found on beaches is plastic, and about half of it comes from single-use items. Think packaging, cups, straws, balloon sticks, and other quick-consumption products that are often linked to tourism and impulse buying.

One striking example comes from New Orleans, USA, during Mardi Gras. Those colorful plastic bead necklaces—so popular during parades—may look festive, but city reports and independent studies have revealed the downside: tens of tons of beads clogging storm drains after celebrations. Even worse, some of these beads have been found to contain heavy metals and e-waste components. They’re the perfect example of a “fun souvenir” that’s worn briefly, then discarded, ultimately polluting waterways.

Another serious issue is biodiversity loss. Many souvenirs still involve species or materials taken directly from nature: coral, turtle shells, ivory, exotic skins, or protected seashells. Not only is buying these items often illegal, but it also fuels trafficking networks that harm ecosystems and local communities. Organizations like WWF, customs authorities, and CITES (the international treaty regulating wildlife trade) all strongly warn travelers to avoid these types of products.

Regulations and Frameworks Already in Motion

Tourism Without Single-Use Plastics

Back in 2021, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) mapped out the biggest problem areas for single-use plastics in the tourism supply chain—things like bottled water, candy wrappers, and packaging. Their recommendation was simple but powerful: shift to reduction and reuse models, not just swapping plastic for another disposable material. That means real collaboration between governments, businesses, and local infrastructure at destinations. And yes—this applies directly to souvenirs and their packaging.

CITES and Wildlife Protection

When it comes to souvenirs made from animals or plants, the rules are strict. The CITES convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), along with national laws, regulates what can and can’t be traded. The official advice for travelers is crystal clear: “If you’re not sure, don’t buy it.” Purchasing wildlife products could not only harm ecosystems, but also result in confiscations or fines at border control.

Standards and Certifications

On a broader scale, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has set standards that include circular economy principles and waste management. These can directly influence how local shops source and sell souvenirs. For raw materials, certifications such as FSC (sustainably managed wood), Fairtrade, and WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) help guarantee both environmental and social responsibility.

Materials and Footprints: What to Watch Out For

Plastics and Resins

Many souvenirs are made of PVC or hard resins that are notoriously difficult to recycle. “Biodegradable” options aren’t always a real solution either, unless there’s an industrial composting system in place. Otherwise, they simply break down into waste in the environment. UNEP guidelines stress: before looking for 1:1 substitutes, consider reuse—or simply not consuming at all.

Textiles (T-shirts, Tote Bags)

The issue isn’t just the fabric—it’s the quality and durability. A cheap T-shirt that only lasts ten washes creates a bigger footprint per use than a well-made one. Ideally, souvenirs should be organic or recycled, use safe dyes, and be produced locally. The principle here is: less, better, longer-lasting. And remember, shopping already accounts for part of that 8% tourism footprint.

Magnets and Keychains With Metals or Rare Earths

Some souvenir magnets contain neodymium, a rare earth element. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) show that recycling these metals drastically reduces impacts compared to mining new ones. That’s a design clue: quality souvenirs could use recycled content to lower their footprint.

Wildlife and Sensitive Natural Materials

Skip the coral, turtle shell, ivory, and rare woods. Instead, choose certified wood (FSC) or sustainably managed plant fibers that can be traced and verified. It’s not just safer for ecosystems—it also helps protect local communities who rely on these resources responsibly.

Is Anything Being Done? Cases and Trends

Cutting Down on Single-Use Plastics in Tourist Spots

The global agenda “Rethinking Single-Use Plastics in Travel & Tourism” is encouraging hotels, tour operators, and shops to phase out unnecessary plastics, install water refill stations, and rethink retail offerings. When destinations provide proper infrastructure—refill points, quality recycling, and green public purchasing—souvenir shops follow suit with less packaging and more durable products.

Festival and City Campaigns

Take Mardi Gras in New Orleans, for example. Programs now include bead collection systems and eco-friendly alternatives like açaí seeds, recycled glass, and paper beads. Local cooperatives have even emerged to recycle plastic beads. Still, the challenge remains huge because of the sheer volume and wide dispersion of these items.

Responsible Shopping and Traceability

Organizations like WWF and customs agencies publish practical guides for both tourists and sellers, while airports have launched initiatives to stop wildlife trafficking through the air-travel supply chain.

Certifications and Standards

Destinations adopting GSTC criteria push local businesses to offer responsible souvenirs. At the product level, certifications like FSC (sustainable wood) and Fairtrade/WFTO are now the minimum signals of social and environmental good practice.

Toward a Circular Souvenir Market

Design for durability and love. The best souvenir is one the traveler truly uses and treasures for years—a well-made mug, a quality garment, or a functional craft. Disposable trinkets that end up in hotel or airport trash bins? Not so much.
Prioritize verified materials.
- FSC-certified wood or paper, recycled-content textiles, organic cotton, recycled metals, locally recycled glass.
- Avoid “inseparable mixes” (like resin glued to metal) that block recycling.
- Include spare parts (like keychain cords or lids) to extend the product’s life.
Cut the excess. Go for minimal packaging. Favor reusable wraps or bulk options (magnets without blister packs, textiles without plastic bags). Swap out foam fillers with reusable solutions.
Traceability and fair trade. Partner with WFTO/Fairtrade to ensure fair working conditions and eco-friendly practices in workshops and cooperatives. Share the story: who made it, with what materials, and how it can be repaired.
Collection and second life. Shops can introduce “take-back” programs for broken souvenirs, partner with local recyclers, and commit to recycled content. Studies on magnets and rare earths already show clear benefits when materials are looped back into the cycle.
Avoid wildlife and sensitive resources. A clear “no-sell” policy for coral, protected shells, exotic skins, and feathers. Train staff on CITES rules and use educational signs to guide customers.
Governance and public purchasing. Cities and tourism boards can:
- Add clauses on reducing single-use plastics and using recycled content in licenses and fairs.
- Provide refill and quality recycling infrastructure.
- Apply GSTC standards to guide artisan markets and local businesses.

What Can We Do as Travelers?

Ask who made it and what it’s made of. Prefer local items with certifications (FSC, Fairtrade/WFTO).
Avoid single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging. If plastic is unavoidable, look for post-consumer recycled content.
Never buy wildlife products—coral, shells, ivory, turtle shell.
Choose useful souvenirs that last for years: fewer items, higher quality.

Final Words

The souvenir industry is part of the problem when it sticks to cheap, low-quality items, short lifespans, plastic-heavy packaging, and sensitive raw materials. But it can also be part of the solution: designing for durability, using recycled or certified materials, embracing fair trade, slashing single-use plastics, and ensuring full traceability.

Regulations—like the European plastics directive—and guidelines from UNEP and WTTC are already showing the way forward. Now it’s up to the tourism sector—and to us as travelers—to align our souvenir purchases with the principles of the circular economy. After all, protecting the environment is not just a responsibility; it’s the most meaningful way to honor the places we visit.

European Union. Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment.
👉 Base legal europea que regula los plásticos de un solo uso, muy vinculada a la industria turística y de souvenirs.
UNEP (PNUMA) & WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council). (2021). Rethinking Single-Use Plastic Products in Travel & Tourism.
👉 Informe conjunto que identifica los plásticos de un solo uso más comunes en el turismo y propone soluciones para reducirlos.
Lenzen, M. et al. (2018). The carbon footprint of global tourism. Nature Climate Change, 8, 522–528.
👉 Estudio académico que demuestra que el turismo (incluyendo compras como souvenirs) representa cerca del 8% de las emisiones globales de GEI.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
👉 Tratado internacional que regula el comercio de especies amenazadas, aplicable a souvenirs hechos con corales, marfil, conchas, maderas exóticas, etc.
WWF & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Buyer Beware: Souvenirs and Wildlife Trade.
👉 Guías para turistas sobre qué productos evitar al comprar recuerdos, con énfasis en especies protegidas y reguladas.