Taronga Zoo and Royal Caribbean International have joined forces on the Litter Free Oceans campaign to raise awareness about the devastating impact litter has on marine life and educate Australians on how to reduce single-use plastic.
The newly formed partnership combines Taronga’s expertise in conservation education with Royal Caribbean’s commitment to healthy oceans and ability to reach ocean lovers of all ages.
The consequences of litter in the oceans are undeniable. Eight million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into the world’s oceans every year, equal to a garbage truck every minute. This is devastating to marine life – half of all marine turtles have eaten plastic and 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomach.
Taronga Conservation Society Australia – one of Australia’s most iconic conservation and education organisations with worldwide recognition – has seen the impact of plastic pollution on marine animals firsthand with over 350 marine turtles admitted to its Wildlife Hospital since 1984, many with illnesses related to ingesting plastic.
Director and CEO of Taronga Zoo, Cameron Kerr, says; “Plastic pollution impacts over 700 species, including marine turtles, whales, dolphins and sea lions. The oceans are in dire need of help but often we feel we can’t make a difference by ourselves. Litter Free Oceans shows Australians how small changes can make a big difference in helping our oceans thrive.”
“By partnering with Royal Caribbean, who already has a robust ocean conservation program in place and a formidable network of ocean lovers, we can truly make a difference to the planet.”
By using the Litter Free Oceans impact calculator, Australians can understand the current impact of their single-use plastic habits. From there, Taronga Zoo and Royal Caribbean have offered four reminders to help Aussies reduce single-use plastic, which include:
- Say no to plastic straws – Australians use 2.7 billion straws a year! Saying no to a straw seems like such a simple action but taking a small step like this really does make an enormous difference to our environment.
- Pack “naked picnics”, free from plastic wrapping this summer and make sure the kids’ school lunchboxes are full of “nude food”. Use reusable containers or beeswax wraps as an alternative to cling wrap.
- Pick-up litter with the family! Rebrand the litter pick as a “Treasure Hunt” and take the opportunity to educate the kids about the animals they are saving while they’re at it.
- Ditch the helium balloons at your summer parties – they are a deadly threat to marine life. Balloons can travel hundreds of kilometres, often landing out to sea and disguising themselves as an enticing meal to turtles and other animals!
For more information, there are also toolkits available for both schools and businesses looking to align with the Litter Free Oceans initiative.
Australians won’t be alone in their efforts to clean the oceans. Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director, Royal Caribbean International, Australia and New Zealand, says, “We’ve taken major action to reduce single-use plastics across our fleet and have removed 77 million plastic straws from our supply chain, achieving our target in 2018 to be plastic straw free. Our ‘single-use plastic task force’ is continuing to identify ways to further eliminate the single-use plastic on board our ships.”
“We’re a company of ocean fanatics, so respect for the oceans is not a choice – it’s a way of life. We understand the importance of sustainability to Australian families today and our guests of tomorrow, and we’re proud to partner with Taronga Zoo on the Litter Free Oceans campaign to keep our oceans healthy, long into the future.”
The cruise line’s sustainability commitments extend to ship innovation, with two technologically advanced smartships – Quantum and Ovation of the Seas – sailing from Brisbane and Sydney respectively in summer 2021/22. One hundred percent of the Royal Caribbean fleet is equipped to be landfill free and whenever possible, the waste on ships is reused, recycled or converted into energy.
Royal Caribbean International was a natural fit for the campaign, as the global cruise line is recognised as a leader in sustainability within the cruise industry for its “Save the Waves” ocean conservation program. Formed in 1992, the platform is aimed at preserving oceans and protecting coastal communities, with commitments to waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, and water management integrated into the line’s daily onboard operations.
