Efforts to cut single use plastic continue onboard NorthLink Ferries

Serco NorthLink Ferries is celebrating the UN’s World Oceans Day on Friday, June 8, by announcing the action it is taking to significantly reduce its use of single use plastic and minimise its carbon footprint.

The announcement comes as more than one million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed every year from plastic in our oceans, according to UN statistics.

Stuart Garrett, Serco’s Managing Director of NorthLink Ferries, said: “NorthLink Ferries operate in a part of the world which is rich in sea life. Many species of dolphins, seals and otters call the Northern Isles their home, and more than a million breeding seabirds visit the region each summer.

“It’s not possible to work surrounded by such outstanding beauty without feeling alarm at the vast collections of plastic reported in our oceans. We take our responsibility for preserving this beautiful region and its wildlife very seriously.

“Tourists and commuters travelling to and from Orkney and Shetland by ferry this summer will notice a marked reduction in the use of single use plastics on board.

“In September 2017 we took our first steps to reduce waste by removing disposable cups and plastic lids from our passenger cabin and since then we have removed all plastic straws, cotton buds, portion pots and polystyrene cups, replacing them with veg ware and reusable alternatives. We are also close to completing our phase out of plastic lined cold drinks cups. We’re always on the lookout for ways to further reduce our impact on the environment and cut down on our use of plastic.

“Our efforts to reduce waste will continue apace and, as of March this year, nearly 77 per cent of our waste is recycled and 15 per cent is converted to energy, with only 8 per cent ending up in landfill.”