On world earth day 2019 Virgin Voyages announce new partnership with Emerald Brand Tree-Free™ and plastic-free products as part of banning Sailor-facing, single-use plastics in a stride to bring to life the company’s purpose of creating an Epic Sea Change for All.
PLANTATION, FLORIDA – April 22, 2019 – Virgin Voyages and Emerald Brand have announced a strategic sustainability partnership to deliver Virgin Voyages’ Sailors a unique, Tree-Free™ and plastic-free experience on board their new fleet of ships. The partnership begins on the Scarlet Lady, setting sail in 2020.
Virgin Voyages is among the first of major cruise lines to ban Sailor-facing, single-use plastic. Their goal: to fully embed sustainability into their business model through their operations and the Sailor experience itself. In addition to replacing single-use plastics with reusable items, Virgin and Emerald will deliver a Tree-Free™ experience through the ship’s disposable paper products. Bath tissue, facial tissue, hot cups, paper towels, and napkins will be made from 60% to 100% Tree-Free™ material. These products are made with unique technology that uses the by-product of agricultural crops that are typically burned or wasted, in place of trees.
The partnership underscores the level of impact both companies are seeking to make. Jill Stoneberg, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Virgin Voyages, states “We have really ambitious goals here so no decision is taken lightly. Everything down to seemingly simple changes in our supply chain are made with the intention of giving Sailors the absolute best experience while continuing to change business for good.”
“Driving change to solve the issue of plastic waste and deforestation has been embedded in our company’s ethos since my father founded our group over twenty years ago,” states Ralph Bianculli Jr., Managing Director of Emerald Brand. “It is a pleasure to partner with Virgin Voyages, who is showing its Sailors and the world that you can balance both enjoying the earth and caring for it at the same time without sacrificing your experience.”
In addition to providing Tree-Free™ and plastic-free products to the ships, Emerald’s team of environmental experts, known more commonly as the Eco-Squad™, will help Virgin Voyages measure and communicate the environmental footprint reduction that has resulted from the switch to Emerald’s products. The Eco-Squad™ will also provide solutions for continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.
Virgin Voyages already banned all single-use plastic items on board including straws, bottled water, beverage bottles, condiment packets, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers, and take-away coffee and tea cups. Instead, the company will emphasize the use of recyclable and reusable materials across the ship. Sailors will have access to complimentary filtered still and sparkling water at all bars and restaurants, as well as specially designed Natura filtered water stations throughout the ship.
Virgin Voyages has already banned all single-use plastic items on board including straws, bottled water, beverage bottles, condiment packets, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers, and take-away coffee and tea cups. Instead, the company will emphasize the use of recyclable and reusable materials across the ship. Sailors will have access to complimentary filtered still and sparkling water at all bars and restaurants, as well as specially designed Natura filtered water stations throughout the ship.
Who are Emerald?
Family owned and operated since 1997, Emerald Brand is committed to innovating through Tree-Free™, sustainable and rapidly renewable solutions. Emerald’s innovations in Tree-Free™ technology and petroleum free plastics is revolutionizing packaging and disposables worldwide. Emerald’s growing suite of 300+ sustainable finished products offers the workplace a healthier and more sustainable environment.
Corporate solutions include educational forums, measurable environmental impact statements, and Emerald Eco-Squad™ consulting services that are at the forefront of future movements in composting and recycling.
Emerald Brand, in conjunction with Emerald Ecovations material technology group, will continue to innovate Emerald’s growing finished goods and retail packaging materials. The company’s mission of “Farm to Tissue®, Made in the USA” is on track to revolutionize the entire industry.
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