MSC Cruises has announced itself as the next major cruise line planning to phase out disposable plastic items from its fleet of ships.
Under its Plastics Reduction Program MSC will phase out many plastic items from shipboard and on shore and replace them with environmentally-friendly items by the end of March 2019.
It has already taken measures to ditch plastic straws and replace them with 100% compostable straws by the end of this year.
No straws will be automatically offered with drinks but a range of sustainable options will be available on request.
The plastic reduction policy will also see the end of plastic shopping bags, spoons, glasses, stirrers, and any other single-use plastic items of which there is a more sustainable replacement available.
For items that do not yet have a suitable non-plastic alternative, the line has vowed to recycle disposable plastic waste items responsibly.
In addition MSC is ‘actively working with suppliers at all levels in the supply chain to effectively remove single-use plastics in products and packaging wherever possible.’
"MSC Cruises will be working with a global leader in inspection, verification, testing and certification, to assure recycling activities are verified and certified by an expert organization," it said.
