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Lindblad declares itself free of single-use plastics

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Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has completed a comprehensive single-use plastics elimination program fleetwide. Lindblad’s ships are now 100% free of all single-use plastic bottles, cups, straws and stirrers.

Planet or Plastic?

The effort supports National Geographic’s 'Planet or Plastic?' campaign, a multi-year initiative aimed at raising awareness about the global plastic crisis and reducing the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans.

'The ocean is under major assault on so many fronts, and its protection is both a business mission and a personal passion,' said Sven-Olof Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, ocean advocate and founding member of Ocean Elders. 'It is enormously gratifying that our team has achieved this milestone in our elimination program. The health of our planet is dependent on our oceans, and it is essential that we change our behavior with regard to plastics.'

'Lindblad Expeditions has been a valued partner since 2004, when we first started working together to offer extraordinary expedition cruises to some of the world’s most fascinating places,' said Gary E. Knell, CEO of National Geographic Partners. 'Our shared passion for adventure and conservation made our alliance a natural fit, and their tremendous effort to eradicate single-use plastic reaffirms that.'

Knell added that he hopes Lindblad's accomplishment will inspire other travel companies.

In the cruise sector, companies like Hurtigruten, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, TUI Cruises, Pullmantur Cruceros, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Virgin Voyages are ridding themselves of single-use plastics. The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators has also prioritzed this effort. 

Plastic water bottles eliminated in 2007

Lindblad Expeditions began working toward the elimination of avoidable plastic waste in 2007 by banning single-use plastic water bottles. Instead, passengers receive individual reusable stainless-steel bottles that may be refilled at filtered-water stations located around the vessels. Lindblad’s commitment continues as the company works with suppliers and seeks partners to eliminate and reduce plastic packaging for the items they supply.

Call for suppliers to reduce plastic packaging

'The next phase in executing a broader reduction in our plastic packaging requires an industry-wide mandate to our suppliers to explore sustainable alternatives,' Lindblad said.

The company is also encouraging travelers to take the 'Planet or Plastic?' pledge.