Well done ! The end of a hectic Med season is in sight for many and the shipyards and marinas of Mallorca are beginning to fill up again after a lull during the busy August months. Some boats are looking to do a quick turnaround before heading off to the Caribbean in a few weeks while others begin to look towards a maintenance period over the winter here in the Med. Both in Yachting and here in Mallorca September always feels like a new start. As the temperature drops, the tourists leave and we all look back over the summer just gone now can be a great time to think about using up supplies and making some changes onboard.
If you are about to start running on reduced crew / supplies and using up left overs this can be a great time to begin to think about alterntives to restock with for the next season and if you are about to head over to the Caribbean there are some things you can do to drastically reduce the impact you will have. Here are some top tips to keep your change of season as environmentally friendly as possible!
HEADING TO THE CARIBBEAN?
- Reduce your waste now
The beautiful islands of the Caribbean are stunning and remote and the reality is that they lack the infrastructure to deal with the large amounts of waste created by Yachts and tourists over the winter months. Large landfill areas are created in hidden locations but when hit by hurricanes these are thehn just spread directly into the Ocean. Many yachts stock up onboard before crossing over – this year so a bit of extra work and remove as much packaging as possible before you leave so you have less to dispose of once there. You can also look at the many new alternatives that are coming out – if you have space stock up with Bulk containers and then keep onboard to return once back, look at the new 100% plastic free alternatives such as Concentrated Cleaners that you dilute in water and other products only packages in Cardboard.
- Stock up with enough supplies
Over the Med Season we have had some difficulties shipping large bulk containers to remote locations and this reminded me of the importance of stocking up with enough product to last a season. With hundreds of small individual product bottles this is not always doable as they are difficult to stock/take up room but as innovation gives us smaller / cheaper and more effective solutions there are many ways to fit in enough of what you need before you travel. This also means that you don’t need to last minute buy products you are not familiar with in other areas.
STAYING IN THE MED FOR SHIPYARD?
Have a clear out and donate
- Once you are rested from the season now is a great time to be testing products that you can use for a new season that contain less chemicals (which are especially bad being used in contained spaces) and plastic than before. If you still have a large stock of anything onboard either use then up OR you can donate old supplies to Yachting Gives Back in STP who can use everything in the cleaning of their shelters here in Mallorca. We are also happy to collect anything you have and get it to them so give us a call.
Start making changes
- Over the next few months it is a great time to start thinking about making changes for the next season. Test out products (we have many samples available), and make a list of what you would like to change so that you have an alternative when you run out of a product. We offer a full consultancy service where we help you find the best fit new products for the interior Cleaning, Laundry and Toiletries as there is not a one size fits all products it is important to consider different factors such as itinerary, budget, storage options etc. Although you may not be ready to restock now it is great to be ready with a new shopping list when the season gears up again next year.
Here are some examples of our most popular plastic reducing , environmentally friendly and space saving products for inspiration.
- Tru Earth Laundry Strips – Tried and tested and LOVED by crew this summer these concentrated strips of liquid detergent are small and powerful. Great for space saving when heading off on long trips.
- Ocean Saver Drops – New to us this season we are sure these are going to be a firm favourite. Small capsules that dissolve in water – use bottles you already have and create NO waste.
- Ecover 15L Detergent and Softener – with a malleable plastic bag inside a cardboard box which can be removed these can squeeze into the weirdest of storage spaces and then be used to refil smaller bottles.
- Ecostore Shampoo and Conditioner 5L – their unisex smell and high quality products has made these products fromm Ecostore a firm hit. With all plastic containers made from sugarcane these are great alternative to traditional plastic packaged items.
- Bleach and Complex Stain Remover – How many Kgs of Vanish Oxy have you gone through this season ? and as a result so many plastic containers. Available in 5Kg Cardboard boxes and containing no petrochemicals this version from Sonett is a great alternative.
Whatever you next move we hope that you have time to rest and recover from a great 2022 season.
For more information about purchasing or if you have any questions about any products above please contact us directly. You can check out our full range on our new website.
www.vivecoyachts,com
Hannah x
+34 634 326 981
Hannah is an ex-stewardess who now runs Viveco and Viveco Yachts, an Eco Yacht, Hotel and Home supply shop in Mallorca.
