There Are So Many Ways You Can Help to "Turn the Tide On Plastic"

Get Started 

Here are a few ideas to get you started next time you hit the water ...

• Say no to straws
• Avoid products with microbeads (e.g. toothpastes, beauty products)
• Choose products with no or less packaging
• Bringing own take-out containers
• Remembering reusable or bio-degradable bags
• Use a refillable water bottle and having a water refill tap available
• Avoiding pre-packed lunches in plastic bags for sailors on the water
• Reuse cutlery and crockery (avoid disposable plastics)
• Bars of soap instead of soap in a bottle
• Jugs of water and glasses at meetings instead of individual plastic bottles
• A “leave no waste” policy which include penalties for competitors that are caught leaving waste (biodegradable or not) behind them
• Use and return trolley tags for re-use

We’ll add to this list with your ideas – so let us know what you do to avoid plastics ! email Gail on gail.macallister@sailing.ie

Did you know that Chillys Bottles give Irish Sailing Members a 10% discount on their amazing insulated bottles? Check em out here.

Basic Guidelines for event organisers we recommend are -

1. ECO OFFICER / GREEN TEAM … Give the role to a prominent and influential member and create a team
2. WASTE … Provide clearly labelled set of waste recycling bins.
3. WATER … Label drinking water taps for refillable bottles.
4. REDUCE OR REMOVE … decide on your policy for single use plastic drinks containers and announce it.
5. NOR … Mention your environmental policies in NOR (see below).
6. SAILORS FOR THE SEA … Register your event and follow their guidelines - https://www.sailorsforthesea.org/
7. REDUCE … Consider the amount of waste that ends up in the ecosystem following the event when giving out branded goody-bags (even the stickers for boats for example).
8. SHARE .. your environmental message and guidelines.

Sustainability goes beyond plastics and refuse. Consider these elements when planning your event ...

1. Source of food and drinks
2. Education and Legacy
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Transportation Options
5. Collaboration and Sharing
6. Signage & Clothing Materials
7. Accommodation sharing
8. The next step

NOTICE OF RACE

We recommend that events have an Environment Sustainability notice on their Notice of Race. It could say this ...

1. NOTICE

• Environment Sustainability
  • As part of the venue's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the event, we request that competitors, team leaders, coaches, volunteers, race officers and all stakeholders follow the Irish Sailing event sustainability guidelines. Details published here https://www.sailing.ie/Clubs-and-Centres/Our-Environment (or put your own sustainability event page url here).

We recommend you publish the guidelines on your event page or send them to this page.

Recommended Guidelines for Event Participants and Support Crew

Irish Sailing recommend that competitors, team leaders, coaches, volunteers, race officers and all stakeholders endeavour to follow the following guidelines at all events ...

1. Boats should be washed down prior to travel to the venue and before leaving to avoid transfer of invasive species (particular consideration is required for inland waters);
2. At venue boats should be cleaned with water or bio clean products, as many deck soaps contain phosphates and nitrates that can dramatically affect water quality and can harm sea life;
3. All coach or spectator boats must have spill kits (advise on this to follow soon);
4. Coach boats and spectator boats will be kept to a controlled number and boat share encouraged;
5. No rubbish left in the boat park which could blow into the water;
6. Bring personal reusable water bottles, as no single-use plastic bottles will be allowed in the venue (refill points will be available);
7. Bring own reusable bags and food containers;
8. Ensure correct use of the venues waste bins on site for recycling, composting and landfill.