Protecting the environment

Climate change is happening now, and it's our responsibility as individuals and as a business to tackle these problems. We have pledged to reduce our environmental footprint by tackling air pollution, single-use plastics and wasteful packaging whilst supporting greater recycling and a host of sustainable travel initiatives. Find out how you can get involved below...

Tabs

Red goes GREEN is the name given to our new long-term Environmental Strategy. It seeks to showcase the environmental successes of recent years and highlight a wide range of new green initiatives, including measures to change consumer behaviour in line with the company's commitment to operate in an environmentally sustainable and sympathetic manner.

Hot Drink Cups

We are actively searching for a solution to single-use hot drink cups. We also have travel mugs for sale made from 100% recyclable material - you get your first drink for free!
Cooking Oil

The 7,800 litres of used cooking oil that we produce each year is returned to the oil supplier for conversion to biodiesel or for use in making animal feeds and commercial soap products.
Waste

We have pledged to source paper from sustainable forests and recycle at least 20% of our waste (e.g. paper, cardboard, batteries and fluorescent light tubes) via our approved waste disposal companies. We are working hard to improve this further.
Greenhouse Gases

New chiller units have been installed on the ro-pax fleet which use the refrigerant R449A. This has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). The new R449A powered units provide a 63.8% reduction in GWP and 64.4% reduction in CO2 across the fleet.

Going Electric

We have already started replacing our terminal vehicles with new electric models. And, we are encouraging you to think along the same lines by offering a 25% ferry discount for pure electric cars and small vans if booked before the end of this year, for travel up to 31 December 2021.

Single Use Plastics

We are exploring ways to eliminate remaining single use plastic items such as milk and sauce sachets and soft-drinks bottles. Find out more

Energy

Filament and fluorescent bulbs are being steadily replaced across the business by low energy LED bulbs. We also have plans to install solar panels at our terminals in the future.

 

Environmental campaigns:

Anti-idling - why this is important

We have launched a major campaign to encourage more drivers to switch off their engines whilst waiting to board or disembark from our ferries. The aim is to reduce harmful emissions and improve local air quality. There's also the added benefit of saving drivers money. Find out more
Beach Clean!

In 2018 we participated in the Island's biggest ever coast and estuary clean-up as part of Isle of Wight Day, sponsored by Red Funnel. The aim was to collect as much rubbish and plastic as possible from the 67 miles of shoreline. We will continue to get ionvolved with this initiative moving forward.

Our policy is to protect the environment and promote good working practices which minimise the effects of pollution. The company has integrated its Environmental Policy into its Safety Management and Quality System forming the Integrated Management System (IMS) and will undertake environmental audits or reviews to assess environmental performance within the IMS.

 

The Company objectives are to:

  • Comply with the requirements of the company Integrated Management System;
  • Avoid damage to the environment, in particular, the marine environment;
  • Establish safeguards against all identifiable environmental risks;
  • Continuously improve environmental management skills of personnel;
  • Have a commitment to continual improvement;
  • Have a commitment to prevention of pollution;
  • Have a commitment to comply with relevant environmental legislation and any other selected requirements.


These objectives will be achieved by:

  • Identification of environmentally significant impacts of the organisations operations and the imposition of management system controls for these;
  • Implementing and complying with requirements of ISO 14001:2015;
  • Motivating respect, responsibility and concern by employees for the environment.

All employees are reminded that they are expected to comply with Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations and Procedures at all times, and to take necessary precautions to protect the environment.

The EMS is applicable to all vessels, all terminals, and the headquarters building.