Circular Cruising: Circular packaging concepts for cruises

Project objectives

• Analysis of current packaging material flows and identification of optimization potentials

• Development of a concept for the increased use of circular packaging with the aim of reducing waste

• Testing of the concept in cooperation with TUI Cruises and suppliers

• Transfer to the industry by Futouris: Publication and dissemination of recommendations for implementing circular economy approaches to reduce packaging waste in the cruise and hotel sector

Circular Cruising - Circular packaging concepts for the cruise

Reducing resource consumption and environmental impact is one of the biggest challenges for a more sustainable travel industry. So far, there has been little focus on the issue of packaging waste. This is precisely where this innovative project comes in: With a clear focus on minimizing packaging waste in the tourism industry, especially on board cruise ships.

The project focuses on the application of circular economy principles to significantly reduce packaging waste and the consumption of materials and resources. In collaboration with the expert partner EPEA, problematic packaging flows on board are identified and practical circular concepts for packaging are developed. Clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) are used to measure progress.

From the start of the project, the requirements and perspectives of TUI Cruises and its partners and suppliers are integrated into the development process. In a pilot test, the developed concept is tested on board a TUI Cruises cruise ship in order to check in practice which approaches work and where adjustments are necessary.

The overarching goal of the project is to provide successful approaches in the form of general recommendations for action for the entire cruise and hotel industry in order to contribute to waste prevention in the travel industry in the long term and thus sustainably improve the environmental balance of the entire industry.

Activities in the project

1. Survey of the status quo & Identification of potential for improvement

• Creation of an overview of current procurement and waste management processes and the materials used, including a rough balance sheet by mass and environmental impact

• Evaluation of purchasing lists, Waste balances, studies and surveys

• Conducting and evaluating interviews with employees

• Workshop to present and evaluate the results

• Selection of priority, problematic packaging material streams

2. Development of a concept to increase the use of circular packaging

• Development of specific alternative materials, alternative processes (purchasing/waste), dialogue with suppliers

• Sustainability analysis of the alternatives compared to the status quo

• Finalization of the concept, taking into account practical requirements and feasibility on board

3. Testing of the final concept with TUI Cruises and suppliers

• Implementation of a test run with developed prototypes on board a cruise ship

• Survey of employees/suppliers on practicability, Identification of optimization potential

• Measurement of success based on the developed KPIs

• Evaluation of long-term feasibility and transferability to other ships and fleets

4. Industry transfer

• Derivation of general recommendations for action for the industry

• Communication of the project results and provision of generic recommendations for action for the entire industry