14.08.2006

Bateaux London reduces waste by 20%

Media release from Bateaux London / Catamaran Cruisers

BATEAUX LONDON REDUCES WASTE BY 20% WITH UNIQUE RECYCLING SCHEME

Leading Thames restaurant and sightseeing cruise operator Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers is involved in a scheme with Tidy Thames Refuse Services to recycle paper and glass used on the river. Since the pilot began last year, restaurant cruise brand Bateaux London has already seen a reduction in waste sent to landfill of an estimated 20%.

Mark Wilson, Operations Manager for Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers explains; “As an established Thames operator, improving the standards of environmentally friendly processes that all vessels and offices work to is a priority of Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers. We have worked with Tidy Thames for many years to recycle oil and in refuse collection, and are now increasing our environmental responsibility with paper, toner cartridges and glass recycling.

“Being involved in this scheme to increase the recycling options for businesses on the Thames demonstrates the commitment of Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers to lead its industry with innovations and improvements. We are pleased to be involved in boosting the amount of recycling carried out on the Thames.”

Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers now sort their waste for recycling and newly-introduced skips collect the paper and glass waste for recycling by Tidy Thames. Further materials such as plastic, wood and metal will be introduced for recycling in the future by Tidy Thames.

Chris Cook, Operations Manager for Tidy Thames Refuse Services comments; “Tidy Thames is the first company to offer a recycling service for businesses based on the Thames. We were delighted Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers, one of the busiest operators on the river, signed up to our recycling trial and we are now rolling the scheme out to all businesses on the Thames to reduce the impact that we have on the environment. We have also seen an increase in waste being transported by river reducing the number of lorries on London’s congested roads.”

Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers operate eight vessels on the Thames including dedicated restaurant services, sightseeing cruises and vessels specifically for parties and private charters. The Company has introduced several industry firsts across its portfolio of operations, such as being the first Thames river cruise operator to feature commentary and restaurant menus in Chinese and Russian.

Tidy Thames Refuse Services helps keep the river Thames in London cleaner and offers a range of services, as well as the recycling scheme, including commercial refuse collection and disposal, waste oil and sewage removal, and towage and crane hire.

For more information on Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers please see www.bateauxlondon.com or call 020 7925 2215.

Bateaux London is London’s leading luxury restaurant cruise operator offering a range of lunch and dinner cruises on the Thames taking in the best views of London. Also available are London sightseeing cruises with Catamaran Cruisers between piers throughout the city. For more information please see www.catamarancruisers.co.uk.

Both Bateaux London and Catamaran Cruisers are part of the Sodexho Prestige division, the UK’s largest event caterer and provider of hospitality packages. In addition to London river cruises, Bateaux London also operates sightseeing and luxury restaurant cruises in New York and Paris.

For more information on Tidy Thames Refuse Services please see www.tidythames.co.uk.

-ENDS-