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BIMCO launches survey to discover the scale of plastic bottle usage at sea

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sea turtle underwater looking at a plastic bottle

BIMCO launches survey to discover the scale of plastic bottle usage at sea

Published: 09 June 2022

Reducing the amount of plastic litter in the oceans is a shared responsibility and requires a collective effort. By taking steps to reduce single-use plastics onboard ships, the shipping industry can contribute to addressing the global plastic litter problem.

That’s why on World Ocean Day – with the theme of Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean we are launching an industry-wide survey on plastics onboard ships. Formulating a baseline of where we are and what actions are, and can be taken, is fundamental to making change.

Plastic pollution presents a significant threat to our ocean. It endangers marine life, damages ecosystems, threatens human health and livelihoods and contributes to climate change.

Reducing the amount of plastic litter in the oceans is a shared responsibility and requires a collective effort. By taking steps to reduce single-use plastics onboard ships, the shipping industry will contribute to addressing the global plastic litter problem.

BIMCO supports phasing out single-use plastic bottles when replaced by onboard systems that provide safe and good quality drinking water. As well as reducing plastics the alternatives can provide ship owners with cost savings, reduce their CO2 emissions and contribute to seafarer well-being – not to mention the overall “feel good” factor.

At BIMCO we would love to understand what positive action our members are taking to reduce not only single use plastic bottles but all plastics - as well as learning what the barriers might be to making changes. We believe that understanding the current state of play with regards to plastics on board is fundamental to allow us to make and monitor the effectiveness of any changes.

As such we are reaching out across the shipping industry starting on World Ocean Day 2022 to request that those involved in procurement for ships complete our Marine Plastics Survey- the results of which will be used to guide the BIMCO campaign and support the work of other organisations tackling this challenge and to contribute to the required collective action needed to revitalise our ocean.

Take part in the survey here
Beverley Mackenzie

CONTACT BIMCO

Dr. Bev Mackenzie

Head of Intergovernmental Engagement

London, United Kingdom

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