Swedish luxury car manufacturer Volvo has announced that the company will remove disposable plastics from all offices, canteens and large-scale events around the world by the end of 2019. The company stated that this decision reflects its active support for the UN Clean Oceans Campaign. And it highlights its ambition to reduce its global environmental footprint.
In a public statement, Volvo stated: 'We will replace more than 20 million disposable plastic items such as cups, food containers, tableware, etc. with sustainable alternatives, including biodegradable products made from paper, pulp and wood. Equivalent to removing more than 500 plastic products per employee per year. '
Such a shift will be implemented gradually. By the end of 2018, disposable plastics will be removed from global events such as car launches and all Volvo office canteens in China, Belgium, the United States, Sweden and Malaysia.
Lisa Emilia Svenson, director of the Marine Division of the UN Environment Programme, said: 'The measures taken by the private sector will help humans fight plastic pollution and enhance the environmental awareness of all humanity. We can't wait to get binding. The legislative agreement. In the next 10 to 15 years, the global plastic production volume is expected to nearly double. If we do not make changes now, a large part of these plastics will be thrown into the sea, and we are happy to see Volvo refusing to use disposables. Plastics, it's nice to see it set a good example and set an example.
Volvo also estimates that the 2018 campaign alone will result in the replacement of more than 140 tons of disposable plastic products with non-plastic products. Stewart Empurpuura, Volvo's head of sustainability, said: 'Plastic pollution is the most serious problem we face today. One of the environmental challenges. We must take seriously our responsibilities. We must actively participate in helping solve this global problem.'
Volvo also added that before adopting measures for disposable plastics, the company has sponsored 300,000 Euros for the science project of the Volvo Ocean Race. Several sailboats will be equipped to obtain the most remote waters in the world from 2018 to 2019. Sensors for marine health data, including sensors for acquiring micro-plastic level data, etc. The sales of Volvo V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race Limited Edition cars will be used to sponsor the competition.
In terms of operations, Volvo plans to create a climate-friendly production business by 2025. In January this year, Volvo became the first climate-friendly factory at the engine plant in Skövde, Sweden.