Carnival Corp. Pledges to Significantly Reduce Single-Use Plastics

Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, has announced a plan to significantly reduce its use of single-use plastics by the end of 2021. The effort, which spans its nine global cruise brands, is part of an expansion of the company’s Operation Oceans Alive environmental program. 

Carnival Corp. says that its cruise brands already have plans under way, including initiatives to reduce or eliminate plastic straws, cups, lids, and bags, among other single-use items. The brands are also working to potentially eliminate individual servings of select packaged food items and other single-use plastics or decorative items used in food and beverage service as well as in staterooms.
 

The company is immediately focusing on reducing single-use plastic items not used for sanitary or public health-related purposes, Carnival Corp. says. As part of the company’s Health, Environment, Safety and Security (HESS) Policy and to comply with national and international regulations governing cruise ship operations, there are some single-use plastic items that cannot be completely eliminated, including plastic trash can liners in common areas and sanitary gloves, among others.

Carnival Corporation launched Operation Oceans Alive in January 2018. In the program’s first year, the corporation implemented new technology solutions for sustainability, added environmental training efforts and improved its communications, Carnival Corp. said. The initiative is now being expanded externally, and it will continue to expand through an increase in funding, staffing and responsibility. 

Related Stories

Carnival Relaunches Travel Agent Booking Tool

Three New Sales Contacts at American Cruise Lines

This Week in Cruise: New Ships From Royal Caribbean, Riviera

2019 Halfway: Top Cruise Stories of the Year