For the past few years, DERTOUR DMC’s Go Vacation Dominican Republic has been actively supporting the Tapitas x Quimio initiative, which was started by doctors Sonia Dickson, Katherine Candelario, and Lliamel Guzmán to help children with cancer in the Dominican Republic.
The idea is simple: collect millions of caps that would otherwise pollute the land and seas, sell them by weight to local recycling companies (including Skyplast, Plastisam, and Pastoriza Plastics), and donate the proceeds directly to pediatric oncology foundations such as Fundación St. Jude and Fundación Amigos Contra el Cáncer Infantil (FACCI).
Each cap weighs roughly two grams; it takes about 225–227 caps to make one pound—and each pound becomes funding for chemo sessions, diagnostic exams, medications, consultations, and essential needs like food security. Since the start of Tapitas x Quimio in 2019, Tapitas x Quimio has already recycled more than 60.5 million caps and raised over one million Dominican pesos.
Go Vacation’s team—from offices to partner hotels—joined this mission, collecting caps at work, at home, and everywhere in between. Furthermore, the company also encouraged guests and partners to join in, placing collection boxes in visible areas and sharing information about the project. This collective effort helped raise awareness about both environmental protection and the needs of children undergoing cancer treatment.
To learn more about the impact and future of Tapitas x Quimio at Go Vacation Dominican Republic, we interviewed Sabina Teuber, Head of Product.
How did Go Vacation Dominican Republic first start collecting plastic caps for Tapitas x Quimio, and what steps did you take to get everyone involved?
I first heard about the indicative in 2023 and immediately felt connected to the project because of its meaningful social impact—addressing two major issues at once: helping children in need while contributing to the environment by collecting plastic. I began by informing all employees via email, explaining the project’s importance and encouraging them not only to collect in the office but also at home, involving their family members as well. This created a strong sense of teamwork. One colleague even involved their fitness studio, contributing many caps.
How do you organize the collection and delivery of caps across different locations, and what challenges have you faced?
I organized a dropbox in the kitchen, and once it was filled, the caps were transferred into large bags that were stored in the attic. Our reps also collected caps from different hotels and brought huge bags to the office. For the final delivery, we arranged a bus with one of our drivers, and all the bags were taken to the designated delivery spot indicated by the foundation for each city. I remember that in the first year there was no delivery center in Puerto Plata, so I had to take them to Santiago, a city about 1.5 hours away from ours.
What has been the most meaningful feedback or reaction you’ve received from employees, guests, or the community?
Seeing how grateful and genuinely engaged our employees were was the most meaningful part. Their creative ideas to collect even more caps were truly heartwarming. It was also very rewarding to see clients notice the project in our office and immediately want to participate.
In what ways has participating in Tapitas x Quimio influenced your team’s approach to social responsibility or environmental action?
Participating in Tapitas x Quimio has definitely been an eye-opener for our employees, making them more aware of sustainability in general. Many have since started coming up with their own ideas for environmental initiatives. As the next step, I am planning to form a green committee, and several employees have already expressed interest in joining. I believe this shows a strong commitment to continuing this journey.
What advice would you give to another company that wants to launch a similar initiative—what are the first steps and key lessons?
My advice would be not to fear initiatives that may seem small at the beginning or worry that they might not be welcomed by employees. Almost everyone enjoys a good challenge when it has a meaningful purpose. I also noticed that employees were even more enthusiastic the second time around, once they could see the positive impact from the first year. This created a healthy sense of motivation and competitiveness, as the team now aims to achieve an even greater impact for the cause each year.