Expedition cruise company HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has teamed up with sustainable bottle maker Ocean Bottle to celebrate World Ocean Day, which falls on 8 June.
To highlight the occasion and raise awareness of the challenge of marine plastic pollution, HX is offering every guest a complimentary reusable Ocean Bottle.
The partnership reflects HX’s commitment to establishing itself as the industry leader in sustainability, becoming the first cruise company to ban single-use plastics in 2018.
Hurtigruten Expeditions VP Hotel Operations Stefan Engl said: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Ocean Bottle. Together, we recognise the urgent need to protect our oceans and combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution in marine environments.
“By providing each guest with a complimentary Ocean Bottle, part of our all-inclusive offering, we’re not only mitigating waste but also contributing to the preservation and cleaning up of our oceans, amplifying our impact.”
Ocean Bottle funds the collection of 1,000 plastic bottles in weight. Collectors exchange plastic for money and get access to social resources such as healthcare, education and financial security.
So far, Ocean Bottle has collected 14,164,500 kg of plastic via its partners, which include grassroots organisations in coastal communities in countries such as Indonesia, India and Ghana, the equivalent of 1 billion plastic bottles in weight.
Ocean Bottle Co-Founder and CEO Will Pearson said: “We’re proud to partner with HX, a leader in the cruise expedition industry known for innovations like banning single-use plastics and launching the first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship.
“By partnering with us and funding the collection of ocean-bound plastic waste, HX is taking their commitment to environmental stewardship even further. With a whopping 507,058 kg of plastic waste collected, they’ve prevented the equivalent of 44,604,000 plastic bottles from entering the ocean, a great example of taking action, leading up to World Ocean Day.”
Other notable sustainability efforts by HX include regular beach cleanups and supporting critical research through its Science & Education programme.
Underlining the importance of oceans in human life, HX noted its crucial role in reaching remote regions to collect vital scientific data with its fleet of advanced expedition ships.
The company’s onboard Science & Education teams continue their mission to support global research efforts to have a deeper understanding of various scientific phenomena. These include whale migrations, phytoplankton communities, cloud observations and the northern lights, among others.
The collaboration also ties into HX’s 1893 Ambassador Loyalty programme, where Level 1 members can redeem a -10% discount and a -20% discount for Level 2 members for a purchase of Ocean Bottle on its website.
HX recently published its 2023 ESG Report, with a focus on the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices.
Notable achievements include major strides towards waste reduction, including a -30% reduction in waste per guest (-22% in food waste per guest) and a -16% reduction in water consumption. HX emphasised its commitment to achieving 100% reuse and recycling of all waste streams by 2030. ✈
