Wartsila begins using less plastic packaging after successful pilot project

Technology group Wärtsilä, a Green Marine partner, has carried out a joint pilot project with the Carnival Corporation to help minimize the plastic materials used in maritime operations.

As a result of the project, Wärtsilä Global Logistics Services is in the process of changing the packaging on its spare parts to reduce the amount of plastic by approximately 40%.

The pilot project conducted aboard the Carnival Splendor and the Carnival Freedom involved testing more environmentally friendly packaging alternatives, such as recycled paper wrapping, instead of plastic, for Wärtsilä’s supplied spare parts.. Despite challenging humid sea freight conditions, the eco-friendly packaging retained the same level of protective covering for the spare parts as the previously used plastics.

As a result, Wärtsilä is making a considerable reduction in the number of plastic bags that are put to packaging use, which is also decreasing the weight of shipments and the fuel required to deliver them.

The change in packaging will be incorporated in the deliveries to Wärtsilä customers in both the marine and energy sectors. The reduction in plastics will both help to better protect the environment from plastic waste, as well as lower the carbon emissions that are generated by manufacturing plastic materials.