Waste and recycling

Recycling

We strive to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment. We have tried to make it as simple as possible for customers to recycle, providing recycling stations at all locations where customers can segregate their waste. Licensed companies and local authorities collect this material for processing, helping contribute to the goal of a fully circular economy.

Different bins may be used at our more remote ports and on the vessels servicing them, to meet the requirements of the local authority that collects the waste.

The following icons are used to instruct our customers on what can be recycled.

Waste to Wealth Committment

Calmac has signed up to the Prince's Trust 'Waste to Wealth Commitment' to help tackle the challenges of climate change. 

The Waste to Wealth Commitment: 

As members of the Prince's Responsible Business Network, we recognise that we have limited time to change our relationship with the resources we use if we wish to avoid catastrophic climate change and restore the health of our environment. To that end we commit to the following: 

1. Set targets to improve the productivity of resources that are key for our business
2. Work collectively towards doubling the nation's resource productivity and eliminating avoidable waste by 2030, contributing in the way that is most relevant to our business
3. Redesign how resources are used in our products, services and operations
4. Collaborate across our organisations, value chains and sectors
5. Reconvene and report on progress annually to share learning and demonstrate results

Find out more on how Business in the Community members (BITC)  are taking climate action.

Marine litter

Marine litter consists of items that have been deliberately discarded, unintentionally lost, or transported by winds and rivers into the sea and on to beaches. Plastic, wood, metal, glass, rubber, clothing and paper all create problems for delicate ecosystems.

Land-based sources account for up to 80% of marine litter. This includes tourism, sewage and illegal or poorly managed landfills. The main sea-based sources are shipping and fishing.

Marine litter poses several problems, such as damage to marine wildlife and public health issues, as well as having an economic impact on marine industries and negative effect on our environment. It can also damage our vessels if it gets caught, which can lead to delays or cancellations.

We recognise our legal duty, and moral responsibility, to protect the environment in which we operate. We have committed to work with Scottish Government, our partners, environmental organisations and our communities to protect Scotland's marine and coastal resource from the damage caused by marine litter.

To fulfil our duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 we must, as far as practicable, keep our land clear of litter and refuse. As a duty holder we are required to assess and allocate the appropriate zone category to all of our relevant land in line with the Scottish Government's Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse.

For more information on what CalMac and the Marine Awareness Partners are doing to address the problem of marine litter read our environmental blogs.