Condor Ferries pledges to reduce single use plastics

Guernsey-based ferry operator Condor Ferries has pledged to reduce over one million single use plastics in 2019 by replacing them with compostable and re-usable alternatives, such as Vegware. 

The company also plans to install recycling points on its ships and in its ports, as well as joining Channel Islands’ initiatives, such as Plastic Free Jersey and the Keep Guernsey Green Award, to reduce waste. 

“We fully recognise we have a role to play so our aim is to lessen plastic in circulation by 75% by 2021,” said Paul Luxon, CEO at Condor Ferries. “Like most other businesses, we accept there is a way to go to achieve this, but we are making progress in evaluating and testing new items for introduction, such as biodegradable water bottles and seaweed packaging, all of which are zero-waste.”

Condor Ferries is already using vegetable-based cutlery and coffee cups made from Vegware on three of its ships - Liberation, Rapide and Clipper. Vegware uses renewable, lower carbon or recycled materials and can be composted along with food waste.

“Our passengers too are very aware of environmental issues and I am sure they will welcome the changes we have already made and those in the pipeline,” said Luxon. 

Each year, Condor’s passengers use 152,000 forks, 158,000 knives, 93,000 spoons and 42,000 straws as well as 557,000 cups and 158,000 lids. According to Condor Ferries, removing these items will reduce the company’s waste by over a million products by the end of 2019.