Hundreds of BC Ferries employees from across the province participated in shoreline cleanups this summer to help keep B.C.’s beaches clean. Employees from Haida Gwaii, the Southern Gulf Islands, Northern Gulf Islands, Comox and Campbell River, the Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Metro Vancouver all took part and gathered 1,725 kilograms of garbage, covering 50 km of shoreline.
Approximately 330 employees volunteered to help in 20 separate clean-up events across the province. Some of the items retrieved by employees included a baby stroller, various car parts and a can of ham.
“Our employees live and work in coastal British Columbia, and are dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Janet Carson, BC Ferries’ Vice President Marketing & Customer Experience. “Caring for the environment is a cornerstone of the work we do with coastal communities. It’s a natural fit for us to help keep B.C. beaches clean for our marine life and everyone to enjoy.”
Participating in shoreline cleanups is just one way BC Ferries cares about the environment. The company is a leader in North America when it comes to the use of clean and innovative technology that lowers emissions and reduces the impact on the environment.
In April, the company welcomed the Spirit of Vancouver Island back into service after undergoing an upgrade and conversion to operate on natural gas, a much cleaner fuel alternative in terms of carbon emissions. The company will also welcome two new Island Class ships into the fleet later this year. These ferries are hybrid battery electric and use some of the most advanced clean marine technology in the world. They will be fully electric once the shore technology becomes fully available.
BC Ferries also recently celebrated five years certification with Green Marine. Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program for ship owners, port authorities, terminal operators, seaway corporations and shipyards that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of marine operators by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and exceeding regulatory compliance.
Of the 133 Green Marine participants, BC Ferries is one of only three to certify three types of activities: vessels, terminals and shipyard.
