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How to Reduce Plastic on your Liveaboard
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Read more about the eco side of plastic on your liveaboard cruises in our latest blog. There have been some rumours about changes in the Komodo Marine Park and how they will affect liveaboard cruises. Find out the full facts by reading our update showing it is Business as Usual in Komodo National Park.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]
Plastic in the oceans is a big topic at the moment.
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Scuba divers tend to be the ones who are more aware of this issue, especially if you have been diving in muck diving paradises like Ambon Bay in Indonesia! Here you have to look past all the rubbish in the sand and enjoy the weird and wonderful critters that can be found.
It is hard to avoid plastic when travelling – the café at the airport serves your drink with a plastic straw, the airline serves everything wrapped in plastic, the liveaboard gives you drinking water in single-use plastic bottles … so here are the five tips on how to avoid plastic on your liveaboard holiday:
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Number one
Remember to say ‘no straw’ when you order a drink. This tip should become an everyday part of your life, not just on liveaboard holidays. And if the dive vessel is giving out plastic straws, see if you can persuade them not to do this anymore.
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Leave only Bubbles
Many liveaboards visit very remote places with very few, if any, rubbish disposal facilities. It is highly unlikely that recycling will be available either. So, avoid as far as possible taking any items wrapped in plastic and if you do, take them home again and dispose of them correctly there.
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Reuse
Bring along a reusable bottle for your drinking water and refill it. Some liveaboards have these bottles as souvenirs – a great way to show off where you’ve been on your next dive trip! If the liveaboard has single-use plastic bottles on board, talk to them about how they could instead have water gallons for divers to refill.
Many liveaboards such as the Mermaid I actually give guests a free gift of a re-usable water bottle as part of their onboard service, plus it is a great memory of your cruise.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"17804\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"center\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]
Toiletries
Take a shampoo bar to wash your hair. It’s eco-friendly, zero plastic and great for your hair too! Or choose one of the many liveaboards that now offer free eco-friendly products on your cruise.
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Onboard boutique
Need to shop for onboard snacks, or go souvenir shopping during your cruise? Always have a reusable shopping bag with you. Refuse single-use plastic bags wherever you are!
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If you can stick to the above 5 points, then you are well on your way to reducing your plastic footprint during your liveaboard holiday. You might even inspire other divers to change their habits.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Images were provided by Mermaids Liveaboards and Fish Eye Video.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]