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Yacht Crew’s Guide to Sustainability within the Superyacht Interior Department
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach with anything and that is particularly true when it comes to yacht crew sustainability and making sustainable changes onboard. All yachts have different demands, different barriers, and different departments. So, as a development from my sustainable musings, I will write up a step-by-step crew sustainability series for each department onboard. Because, well, sometimes an actionable ‘to-do’ list is what it takes to get the job (and make the change) done.
We’re shifting our focus to sustainability within the superyacht interior department. When it comes to the interior of a superyacht, things can differ hugely between vessels, there is so much scope with various materials, products, ornaments, care guidelines that all need to be cared for and maintained.
With that in mind, I have created some general interior sustainable steps that you can begin to carry out throughout the yacht.
Housekeeping
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
- Where possible, buy large refills for dispensers rather than lots of small bottles.
- Use microfiber cloths rather than cleaning wipes and disposable cleaning paper.
Laundry
- Recognise the microplastics issue within the laundry and use filters
- Use eco-friendly detergents
- Use cold wash & low-temperature cycles where possible
- Reduce the use of dryers where possible and use dryer balls rather then sheet.
Service & Guest needs
- Replace plastic water bottles with refillable jugs & glasses
- Utilise shells and natural decor for table decorations
- Research long term flower solutions, such as preserved arrangements
- Replace bar accessories with sustainable options e.g reusable straws
- Implement eco-friendly guest toiletries and reef-friendly sunscreens or at least large refillable if you cannot change the brand
- Create welcome notes which highlight the sustainable efforts you are making onboard
Crew
- Have separate recycling bins in the crew mess
- Replace any single-use plastic you can within the crew mess
- Change crew mindset for the better, highlight things you can easily change. For example, energy consumption – simply turning off lights that aren’t in use.
- Introduce the topic of sustainability in weekly/monthly meetings, appoint a sustainability advocate within your crew to oversee this
- Do regular waste audits onboard and highlight any waste issues
- Highlight the importance of reducing food waste when it comes to leftovers and stock rotation within the crew mess
- Research and use responsible suppliers for the interior e.g. sustainable uniform
Billions of actions and decisions got us where we are now. Therefore, it will need billions of small actions and decisions to overturn these unsustainable ones into sustainable. So what are you waiting for?! Make sure your interior department is making sustainable steps today.
For more sustainable swap ideas for the interior, be sure to check out the infographics on Seastainable’s website!
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