When customers choose to use e-documents, reducing paper and plastic use, Avalon parent Globus will donate to The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation working to rid the world’s oceans of plastic waste.
Onboard, Avalon is also increasing its efforts to offer guests more “sustainable, responsible river cruising”.
Its fleet uses LED bulbs consuming 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, while its vessels are powered by systems requiring 20% less fuel than other river cruise ships, the line claims.
Avalon has also upgraded onboard sewage treatment, ensuring clean water is discharged back into rivers, while “low-flow” toilets and tap flow restrictors help limit water consumption.
Giles Hawke, UK chief executive of Avalon and Cosmos, said it had “never been more important for companies to take a role in cleaning up the planet while also reducing and recycling waste”.
Janet Parton, Avalon and Cosmos sales director UK and Ireland, added the line had “greatly improved” its monitoring and measurement of waste to reduce its environmental impact.
Avalon has reduced paper waste by 80% over the past two years, said Parton, driven by its favouring of electronic media such as no longer delivering city maps to staterooms and instead encouraging guests to use its AvalonGO app.
Shoreside, Parton said Avalon was also prioritising e-brochures over printed versions.
Avalon has a number of initiatives coming into force this year to eliminate single-use plastics: introducing wooden coffee stirrers; replacing plastic straws with 100% biodegradable versions; providing guests with washable, fabric laundry bags in staterooms; and offering refillable water bottles in each stateroom and water stations throughout the ship.
