Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure
Last Updated: 02/05/2025
Welcome to Travel With Plastic (“we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit https://travelwithplastic.com (the “Site”). It also describes our participation in advertising and affiliate programs, including Google AdSense, Microsoft Monetize, Amazon Associates, and other third-party networks.
By using this Site, you consent to our privacy practices as outlined below.
For questions about this policy, contact us at:
Email: privacy@travelwithplastic.com
Website: Contact Us page.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information You Provide
- Comments and Contact Forms: If you submit a comment or fill out a contact form, we collect the information you provide (e.g., name, email address, message).
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
- Log Data: Our servers automatically record certain information (“Log Data”) when you visit our Site, such as your IP address, browser type, referring/exit pages, and the dates/times of your requests.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to collect information about your interactions with our Site (see Section 4 for more details).
We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 13. If you believe that a child under 13 has provided personal data, please see Section 9 for how to notify us.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use the information we collect for various purposes, including:
- Operating, maintaining, and improving the Site.
- Personalizing and enhancing your user experience.
- Sending newsletters or email updates (if opted in).
- Responding to your comments, questions, or requests.
- Monitoring and analyzing trends, usage, and activities on the Site.
- Detecting, preventing, or investigating potential security breaches or fraud.
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
3. Advertising Networks (Google AdSense & Microsoft Monetize)
We use third-party advertising networks, including Google AdSense and Microsoft Monetize, to serve advertisements on our Site. These networks use cookies and other tracking technologies to display ads based on your browsing behavior.
3.1 Google AdSense
- Cookies for Personalized Ads: Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads based on your browsing history. The use of advertising cookies enables Google and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our Site and/or other websites on the internet.
- Opting Out: You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or www.aboutads.info.
- Learn More: For additional details on how Google uses data when you use our Site, visit How Google uses data when you use its partners’ sites or apps or consult Google’s Privacy and Terms.
3.2 Microsoft Monetize
- Microsoft and its advertising partners may collect data through cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to provide targeted ads.
- Microsoft may use collected data to display personalized ads across Microsoft services and partner websites.
- You can opt out of personalized Microsoft ads by visiting the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.
For additional details, please refer to Microsoft’s Privacy Policy.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
4.1 Definition of Cookies
Cookies are small data files stored on your browser or device. We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to:
✔ Enhance user experience
✔ Analyze traffic and user behavior
✔ Serve personalized ads (via Google AdSense & Microsoft Monetize)
4.2 Managing Cookies
You can control or disable cookies using your browser settings. However, some features of the Site may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
To manage cookies for ad personalization:
- Google Ads: Google Ads Settings
- Microsoft Ads: Microsoft Privacy Dashboard
- Other Networks: YourAdChoices
5. Affiliate Disclosure
5.1 Amazon Associates Program
Travel With Plastic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
- Cookies: When you click an Amazon affiliate link, a cookie is placed on your browser to track any sales for commission purposes. This cookie does not collect personal data such as your name or email address.
- Disclaimer: We do not guarantee, endorse, or take responsibility for any product or service purchased through Amazon. Any issues regarding shipping, returns, or customer service must be directed to Amazon.
5.2 Other Affiliate Programs
We also participate in additional affiliate programs (e.g., Commission Junction (CJ), Awin, Impact). These programs allow us to earn commissions when users click affiliate links and make purchases or perform other qualifying actions. These commissions come at no extra cost to you.
5.3 FTC Disclosure (For US Visitors)
In compliance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials, please assume the following about links on our Site:
- Any external link may be an affiliate link that could result in our receiving compensation if you click and subsequently make a purchase.
- Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships; we only recommend products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers.
6. Third-Party Links and Services
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including advertisements served by Google and Microsoft. We do not control these third-party services and recommend reviewing their privacy policies.
Some advertisements displayed via Microsoft Monetize and Google AdSense may lead to third-party websites. Clicking on an ad may direct you away from our Site, and we are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party advertisers.
7. Data Retention and Security
7.1 Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Once personal information is no longer needed, we securely dispose of or anonymize it to protect user privacy.
7.2 Data Security
We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of data transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have any questions about our security measures, please contact us using the information provided in Section 11 of this policy.
8. Your Rights and Choices
8.1 GDPR (If You Are in the EEA)
If you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to:
- Access your personal data.
- Rectify inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
- Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”) of your personal data.
- Object to or restrict certain processing.
- Data portability, where applicable.
- Withdraw consent at any time (this will not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal).
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through the Contact Us page or via the information provided in Section 11. We may request additional information to verify your identity before completing your request.
8.2 CCPA (If You Are in California)
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the right to:
- Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected.
- Request deletion of personal information we have collected (subject to certain exceptions).
- Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data).
- Not be discriminated against for exercising any CCPA rights.
To submit a request, please contact us through the Contact Us page or via the information in Section 11. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.
9. Children’s Privacy
Our Site is not directed toward individuals under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us via the Contact Us page so we can take steps to delete such information as required by law.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure
We may update this Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure from time to time for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons or to reflect changes in our practices. When we do, we will revise the Last Updated date at the top of this page.
If we make any material changes, we will provide a more prominent notice (e.g., by posting a notice on our Site or sending you a notification). We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal information and manage affiliate relationships.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this policy, wish to exercise your GDPR or CCPA rights, or have any concerns regarding our data practices, please contact us:
- Via our Contact Us page
- By email at privacy@travelwithplastic.com.