Plastic reductions pledge to mark World Oceans Day

To mark World Oceans Day, ferry operator CalMac has announced further steps to cut down on the amount of plastic it uses on board. 

Currently CalMac operates a Zero Waste Overboard Policy and provides recycling bins on board its vessels and in terminal buildings. Earlier this year CalMac signed up to Sunnyside Primary School's #NaeStrawAtAw campaign and have replaced plastic with paper straws on board. 

Now the company has announced further steps to help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the sea. 

'When we banned straws on board we pledged to look at every other area of the business to strive to reduce use of plastics that cause so much environmental damage,' said CalMac's Waste Manager, Ruth Rice.

'The next positive steps for us is now to replace disposable cups with reusable ones and we are also in the process of swapping individual milk portions with milk jugs and removing individual sauce sachets to be replaced with sauce dispensers.'

 Last year CalMac's fleet of 33 vessels carried more than 5.3 million passengers and nearly 1.4 million vehicles to 26 island and remote mainland destinations across the west coast.

'These steps will make a significant difference to the amount of plastic being used and disposed of on board. Longer term, we are working closely with our suppliers to source alternative compostable or fully recyclable packaging for all other foodstuff we sell on board,' added Ruth. 

As part of World Oceans Day, CalMac is urging all customers to observe the Zero Waste Overboard policy and to make use use of recycling bins on board and in port buildings to help keep plastics out of the water. The company will also be hosting a series of events over the summer to highlight the impact plastic waste can have on the marine environment.

More information on World Oceans Day at worldoceansday.org