Simpson Marine adapts Plastic Free Oceans philosophy and signs environment pledge at Volvo Ocean Race HK Stopover

At the recent Volvo Ocean Race Hong Kong stopover Ocean Summit held end January 2018, Simpson Marine made the official pledge to substantially reduce single-use plastic across the company and promote a PLASTIC FREE policy with our owners and crews. Alongside the recycle bins appearing in our offices and progressive elimination of any plastic packaging, we are stopping plastic bottled water and other plastic distribution at our boat shows, disposable plastic cutlery and table sets at owners’ rendezvous and more actions underway.

The new policy officially kicked off with the Singapore Yacht Show where we had our own paper cups in favour of plastic water bottles at the hospitality stand. This will be replicated at our upcoming boat shows and events.

With many exciting events and rendezvous, we will be focusing on making the environment friendly choice and encourage our Simpson Marine team, owners and friends to join us in doing our part.

With the summer upon us, the estimated increase in marine litter is almost 60% to a usual year round quantity. Let’s all make a change for the better and help our seas to keep enchanting us with their beauty and abundant marine life!

Some initiatives for your own consideration:

–          BYO water bottles/ water dispensers

–          Glass drinking water bottles or biodegradable paper cups

–          Biodegradable cutlery such as wooden forks/spoon, plant-based plates etc

–          Use of biodegradable trash bags for waste disposal at events

–          A recycling station to differentiate recyclables and waste

–          Reusing our SM Paper bags and extending their shelf life.

In line with the new policy, we have also teamed up with World Wild Foundation in Hong Kong to help keep HK waters clean, and were glad to participate in their recent Brainstorming Session on Marine Litter in HK on 25 April and gathering many local and international stakeholders wanting to participate in this noble action. The ideas and proposals will be shared with local government figures and hopefully quickly implemented in Hong Kong!

Regardless of government and legal actions, we can all make a difference at the personal level, so let’s start today!