In the hope that other cruise lines follow suit, Hurtigruten, who sail to some of the world’s most remote, pristine and delicate environments, have made their announcement at a time when concern for rising plastic in the oceans is at an all time high. To ensure they are operating with the smallest footprint possible, Hurtigruten will forego plastic straws, coffee lids and plastic bags on all of their 14 ships from this July, even single-use butter packaging!
“There is a lot of talk about the impact plastic has on our oceans, but it's time to take action"
- Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam.
And it doesn’t stop there, they intend to extend the ban to incorporate their hotels and other land-based operators. They’ve also announced that nine of their ships will be retro-fitted to use liquefied natural gas and battery propulsion, further limiting their impact on the environment.
"Operating in pristine areas as we do, comes with a responsibility," Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam
Hurtigruten have focused on the problem of plastic pollution for many years, organising annual beach clean-ups involving their 2,500 employees as well as some of their 400,000 guests!
EXAMPLES OF HURTIGRUTEN’S PLASTIC BAN
Straws in bars and restaurants
Annual consumption: 960,000 pieces
Weight: approximately 2,80 0kg (6,200 lbs)
Plastic cups
Annual consumption: 390,000 pieces
Weight: Approximately. 5,000kg (11,000 lbs)
Single-use packages of butter
Annual consumption: 826,000 pieces
Weight: approximately. 826kg (1,800 lbs)
Join Hurtigruten on an environmentally conscious voyage to the pristine wilderness of Svalbard.
