06 JUN 2019: On June 5, World Environment Day, the Globus family of brands announced plans to increase sustainability efforts and reduce waste while also contributing to The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization focused on ridding the world’s oceans of plastics.

The Globus family of brands, comprised of Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways is asking travellers to choose e-documents over printed travel itineraries, prior to their vacations. When they choose the eco-friendly option – eliminating paper and plastic use and waste – the company will donate funds to The Ocean Cleanup to aid in their unprecedented efforts to clean-up the world’s oceans.

Over five trillion pieces of plastic currently litter the ocean. If left to circulate, the plastic will impact our ecosystems, health and economies. The Ocean Cleanup has developed advanced technologies to eliminate plastics in our oceans. The non-profit organization has plans to clean up 50 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five years.

“It’s never been more important for companies to take a role in cleaning up our planet while also reducing and recycling waste,” said Scott Nisbet, chief executive officer and president of the Globus family of brands.

“Now, we’re asking our travellers to join us by favouring electronic travel documents over paper ones. When they do, our planet benefits.”

In addition to encouraging travellers to get involved with the Globus family’s efforts to support The Ocean Cleanup, Avalon Waterways – the company’s river cruise operator – is increasing efforts to offer cruisers sustainable, responsible river cruising.

Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways, said it, “is up to Avalon – and other river cruise companies – to preserve this precious environment around us. As a result, we have taken great strides to improve monitoring and measurement to reduce our environmental impact, to save water, to limit waste and to foster a sustainability culture among our crew and guests.”

As part of these efforts, Avalon Waterways’ fleet:

•    Use LED light bulbs, consuming 90 percent (90%) less energy than incandescent bulbs.

•    Contain state-of-the-art propulsion systems that use 20 percent (20%) less fuel than other river cruise ships.

•    Feature upgraded sewage treatment plants – the best on the world’s rivers – that offer a multi-step waste processing procedure, ensuring clean water is discharged back into rivers.

•    Have low flow toilets and tap flow restrictors to help our guests limit water consumption.

According to Hoffee, reducing waste is also a top priority for Avalon Waterways. “In the past two years, we have reduced paper waste by 80 percent,” said Hoffee.

“We’ve done this, in part, by favouring electronic media. For instance, onboard, we no longer deliver city maps to staterooms each day. Instead, we encourage our guests to use our new AvalonGO app. Off the ship, we prioritize e-brochures over printed brochures. And now, we hope our contributions to The Ocean Cleanup will encourage even more guests to choose e-documents.”

Understanding the environmental impact of plastics – beyond the world’s oceans – Avalon Waterways is also working diligently to eliminate single use plastics across operation.  Systems in place and/or planned for this year include:

•    Using wooden stirrers for coffee.
•    Replacing plastic straws with 100 percent biodegradable straws.
•    Replacing plastic lids on to-go cups with compostable lids.
•    Providing guests with washable, fabric laundry bags in staterooms.
•    Offering refillable water bottles in each stateroom – and water stations throughout the ship.

A worldwide effort, the Globus family of brands has eliminated single-use plastics in offices across the globe. The company is working to eliminate them from tours – as well as river cruises – by the end of 2020.

For more information see: theoceancleanup.co  or visit: globusjourneys.ca