Saving the waters we love
Like many other individuals, companies, industries, countries and nations across the globe, at Rockley we are assessing our impact on the environment and taking both small and significant measures to ensure that we can do as much as possible to conserve and preserve the environment in which we live. There has been much talk about the devastating effects that humankind has inflicted on our planet over the years but like many companies, it seems that NOW really is the time to take action.
As a watersports company we have a vested interest in looking after our waters and as a lover of all things sailing and water, it is our Schools Advisor, Cath Hough who is leading the charge for environmental change.
“Previous to joining Rockley I was lucky enough to be involved in eXXpedition Caribbean 2017, a mission aboard S/V Sea Dragon to make the unseen seen- from plastics and toxics in the Oceans to those in our own bodies. This involved hopping between Islands, sampling waters, surveying waste and doing local outreach. I was staggered to discover just how much plastic rubbish there was both in the Ocean and on beaches and the harmful effect this is having on our planet.”
“This voyage opened my eyes to the scale of the problem. Globally, we are producing nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic every year and of that, it is estimated that up to 13 million tonnes of plastic leaks into the global marine environment annually. This has adverse implications for wildlife, the economy and human health. With this knowledge I was inspired to endorse change locally to my community and it is fantastic that Rockley are championing and fully supporting this. We know that it may take time, however by making small, gradual changes we can make a significant difference.”
Initiatives for a more sustainable future
With this in mind, Rockley have made many changes to across its six centres with the company-led incentive to completely eradicate single-use plastics within five years.
Initiatives encouraged so far:
- Think before you print and re use scrap paper before throwing it away
- Use refillable bottles / coffee cups – never buy bottled water
- Car share, walk or cycle where possible – Friday is ‘leave your car at home’ day
- Use a reusable shopping bag
- Take part in beach and sea clean initiatives
- Reduce the use of clingfilm – find alternatives ie tupperwares
- Recycle more – don’t put everything in your desk bin
- Turn off lights and computers when not using them
Read more here: https://www.rockley.org/news/rockleys-environmental-drive