European Week For Waste Reduction: How IYC Is Getting Involved
At IYC, we are proudly committed to addressing environmental challenges and promoting a better, more sustainable future for luxury yacht charters. That's why we are excited to be participating in the upcoming European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) - an impactful initiative that aligns perfectly with our own sustainability goals.
Taking place from November 16-24 this year, the European Week for Waste Reduction is a continent-wide campaign that encourages businesses, organizations, and individuals to raise awareness about sustainable resources and take concrete actions to reduce waste. With 15 successful editions and 29 countries getting involved, this initiative has become integral to sustainability and waste management efforts across Europe and the Mediterranean regions. Integrating the 'Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce' framework, this year's theme for the week is to counter the pressing issue of food waste.
As a leading player in the yacht charter industry, we recognize the significant impact our operations can have on the environment. That's why sustainability is a cornerstone of IYC's values, continuing to set new and improved standards for responsible yacht chartering.
Make It Green
Our dedication to sustainability has recently been highlighted through our dedicated Green Team - a group of passionate IYC employees spearheading our push toward more eco-friendly practices across all 15 of our global offices.
The initiative 'Make It Green' aims to reduce our carbon footprint, minimize waste, and conserve resources and energy. From our strategically placed offices, such as Monaco's yachting hub, to key Caribbean and US charter locations, our team is introducing a range of innovative initiatives to minimize IYC's environmental impact worldwide.
Earlier this year, as part of our Green Team's launch, our IYC Monaco office made a considerable stride forward in cementing this commitment to sustainability by signing the Principality of Monaco's National Energy Transition Pact. Through this agreement, we have publicly committed to advancing sustainable practices within the yachting industry and collaborating with the Monegasque government to drive meaningful change across our industry.
Green Goals
Aligning with the European Week for Waste Reduction's focus on reducing food waste, our Green Team has organized a series of effective activities for the Monaco IYC team during this week. One of the key highlights is the creation of a small vegetable garden on the terrace of our Monaco office. By growing some of our own fresh produce, we are reducing waste and improving this connection between our team and the origin of ingredients.
Additionally, halfway through the week, we will host a zero-waste lunch where everyone is encouraged to bring home-cooked, packaging-free meals to share with our team. Then, toward the end of the week, the local Société Monégasque d'Assainissement will join the team to lead a workshop on proper waste sorting - an essential skill that will help to maximize the impact of our current recycling efforts.
We appreciate that the European Week for Waste Reduction is intended to raise awareness, so we have created activities that last longer than the week itself. These longer-term commitments will help us continue to build on our own green goals.
Greener Offices
The Green Team's efforts extend beyond food waste. Across all IYC offices, the company has implemented policies and initiatives to reduce its overall waste output and become more environmentally responsible.
The team is tackling other things to shift toward greener office practices, such as reducing single-use plastics, limiting reliance on paper, generally recycling more, and ensuring energy consumption through lighting and electronics is more efficient.
A Greener Future
Through our involvement in initiatives like European Week for Waste Reduction and our own Green Team projects, we are driving positive change not just within our organization but throughout the entire yachting industry.
As the world and our industry continue to grapple with pressing environmental issues, we are demonstrating that yachting can play a pivotal role in creating a better future. Sustainability is a fundamental part of IYC's business model and our vision for the future of luxury yachting. By embedding environmental consciousness into the core of our operations, we reduce our impact and help pave the way for an overall better future.
If you are interested in learning more about our sustainability goals and initiatives, contact our Green Team today.