Carnival a charter member of Ocean Plastics Leadership Network

Carnival Corp. headquarters.jpg
Through efforts so far, Carnival Corp. brands reduced the procurement of single-use plastics by 80m items in 2019 while also reducing 95m other single-use items, as compared to 2018
Carnival Corp. & plc has become a charter member of the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN), a new global community working to develop innovations and solutions to address the impacts of plastic waste.

OPLN consists of retailers, brands, nongovernmental organizations and alliances committed to sharing best practices and developing scientific breakthroughs and new business models.

Online repository of news, tools and research

OPLN officially launched last week with the introduction of its online community and leadership network at OceanPlasticsLeadershipNetwork.com.

This will be an online repository of industry news, tools and research to promote and advance innovative solutions, projects and ideas from experts and advocates collectively working to reduce plastic waste. The online network currently includes 50 members, including organizations representing elements of the development, distribution, purchase and retail use of plastic products.

‘Our most important priorities are to operate safely, protect the environment and to be compliant everywhere we operate in the world,’ said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corp. ‘Becoming a charter member of the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network is another important step in the many environmental compliance efforts that are under way across the company.’

Organized by SoulBuffalo, which curates and produces summits and expeditions for corporate leaders, NGOs and innovators to develop solutions for environmental challenges, OPLN builds on the company's Ocean Plastics Leadership Summit held in May 2019. This convened leading organizations in the plastics supply chain in one of the five oceanic gyres – large systems of rotating ocean currents – to experience plastic waste firsthand and develop ideas and collaborations to accelerate solutions. It is intended to become an annual event.

Platform for knowledge-sharing

‘The Ocean Plastics Leadership Network will provide an amazing platform for knowledge-sharing, creating amazing firsthand experiences and working together to achieve real change,’ said Dave Ford, CEO of SoulBuffalo and founder of OPLN. ‘Companies like Carnival Corporation coming on board will be such an integral step to having this organization be relevant and effective.’

Carnival Corp. and its nine cruise line brands are working to significantly reduce their purchase and consumption of nonessential, single-use plastics by the end of 2021. Initiatives include reducing or eliminating plastic straws, cups, lids and bags, among other items. The brands are also working to potentially eliminate individual servings of select packaged food items and other single-use plastics or decorative items used in food and beverage service as well as in staterooms.

Through the ongoing efforts, the company's brands reduced the procurement of single-use plastics by 80m items in 2019 while also reducing 95m other single-use items, as compared to 2018.