1. TIMELINE

Zero Waste and Solar Food Policy is in effect from the sail-off ceremony in Stockholm (June 11th) until the arrival ceremony in Oslo (August date TBD). The policy applies to all crew members only during their participation “on duty” meaning when onboard the boat and within close surrounding areas at marinas, etc.

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2. ZERO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

NO single-use plastics (hereafter referred to as “SUP”) will be brought onboard or used by crew members while on duty for the duration of the project. SUP is any plastic item designed for one use only, including but not limited to plastic flatware, bags, plates, cups, bottles, food packaged, etc. Even if SUP can be used several times (washing plastic cutlery, etc.) we choose to eliminate SUP altogether. Reusable alternatives will be provided to crew members.

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3. ZERO FOSSIL FUEL

We will use NO fossil fuels (i.e. butane, propane, etc.) for cooking or water heating. Instead, we will explore sustainable cooking options, including solar oven, solar-powered induction hot plate, alcohol-burner, wonder-bag slow cooking, etc. Energy for cooking/heating will be generated by:

 

SUN: Solar ovens and battery storage from solar panels WIND/WATER: Battery storage from hydro generation

FIRE: Sustainable and safe open fires without the use of lighter-fluid

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4. EXCEPTIONS

Exceptions to the Policy may be made for necessary medications, first-aid-kit, and emergency preparedness.

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5. THE FIVE Rs

We will implement our interpretation of the 5 Rs as presented by Bea Johnson (author of Zero Waste Home) in order:

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1) REFUSE:

We will refuse all SUP and any items/freebies that are not absolutely needed for the project. We will request that our sponsored supplies or purchases we make are sent with plastic-free shipping materials that are 100% recyclable (i.e. cardboard only).

 

2) REDUCE:

Supplies onboard the boat will be re-evaluated prior to the launch of the project, reducing unnecessary items and convenience goods that cause waste. Crew members are asked to pack minimally and keep SUP items at home. In the rare case that a SUP must be brought onboard (medication, etc.), it is the responsibility of the crew member to take it back with them.

 

3) REUSE:

The boat will be equipped with reusable bags, wrappers, and containers for zero-waste grocery shopping and take-out food. Crew members are encouraged to swap their own disposable items for reusables and guidance for this will be available.

 

4) RECYCLE:

Supplies that cannot be refused, reduced, or reused, can be purchased in 100% recyclable packaging, with a preference of paper, glass, or aluminum over plastic. Local recycling policies will be researched as we enter into different cities/countries and all recyclables consumed by crew members on duty will be saved in a designated container onboard for Guri* to document and sort. NO recyclables will be dumped overboard.

 

5) ROT

All food scraps and compostable items will either be composted in our onboard composter or saved to compost on land, buried in small quantities underground or brought to farms we visit. NO food scraps will be dumped overboard. See more in 12. FOOD WASTE.

 

Additionally, we’ve added a 6th R “Return” below to account for failures and unexpected landfill waste we may encounter. Our zero waste policy is an experiment and educational effort above all:

 

6) RETURN

We will be 100% honest about our waste management and work together as a team to help each other change our habits. Any waste that fails to meet the 5 Rs in our policy above (anything that would go to a landfill) will be collected in a “zero-waste fails” container for the duration of the project. It will be displayed to the public, and when possible returned by mail to the producer/supplier with a suggestion for an alternative. Any plastic and litter we find at sea or during the project will be collected in a separate container to be displayed at the end of the project and offered to a chosen artist as materials for a sculpture art statement.

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6. PROVISIONS

All food ingredients will be bought package-free and sourced directly from small local organic farms whenever possible. Animal products we choose to consume will only be sustainable meats, fish, dairy, and eggs from humanly raised and/or wild sources. It is our ambition to see the animal product sources firsthand during farm visits. Secondly to select animal products produced under certifications that we trust. Our dry plant-based groceries will be purchased package free in bulk where we can provide our own reusable bags and containers. Findings will be added to the online resource map, Zero Waste Home Bulk App by Bea Johnson. Food sourcing and groceries are the responsibility of Guri* and are provided to all crew members.

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7. FOOD STORAGE

The refrigerator onboard is solar powered, additionally, a solar cooler/freezer may be used.

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8. OFF-BOARD

Our off-board food preparation by Guri* for provisions to be brought onboard will be zero-waste and will use sustainable energy providers whenever possible. Food prep by outside sources or by crew members does not need to meet zero-waste policy when off-board, however once bringing the prepared food onboard it must be in zero-waste containers and free from SUP.

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9. BRINGING FOOD/DRINK ONBOARD

Food and water are provided by 100% Sun Wind Water for all crew members on duty. If crew members wish to bring food, drinks, or alcohol onboard it must meet the Zero Waste policy and be discussed in advance. Zero waste is mandatory on duty (see 1. TIMELINE) and encouraged off-board when eating out at restaurants, events, race galas, and ordering take-out. Any unavoidable food packaging (ideally recyclable) will be accounted for by all crew members while on duty.

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10. DRINKING WATER

Potable filtered drinking water will be provided to all crew members on duty in their reusable water bottles. SUP water bottles are strictly prohibited.

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11. CLEANING

Soap, detergents, port-a-potty liquid, sunscreen, and personal toiletries brought onboard will be free from harmful chemicals and instead derived from natural compostable ingredients. Sponges, toilet paper, and other cleaning supplies used onboard will be biodegradable (i.e. compostable). These supplies are provided to crew members.

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12. FOOD WASTE

To avoid food waste, meals onboard will be self-portioned, leftovers saved, and eaten before spoilage. We will meal-plan, use as much of our ingredients as possible, and account for perishable foods.

 

13. GREY WATER

Wastewater from dishes, cooking, and cleaning will be responsibly released into the sea with no chemical contaminants (see 11. CLEANING).

 

14. BLACK WATER

Water from liquid and solid human waste will be collected in containers and responsibly disposed of either in septic collecting facilities or buried on land with no chemical contaminants (see 11. CLEANING). These measures are taken due to the baltic sea algae overgrowth and dead sea beds.