At Wasaline, sustainability is not limited to low-emission shipping, but is reflected in everything, including the cleanliness of the ship.
The direct impact of cleaning on the environment is certainly smaller compared to, for example, propulsion of the ship, but with over 1,000 departures and over 250,000 passengers per year, cleaning requires a lot of resources.
Wasaline’s sustainable cleaning choices stem not only from the shipping company’s certified sustainability strategy, but also from the knowledge that most sustainable methods are often also the smartest.
– This is especially true in terms of cleaning, says Wasaline’s cabin attendant Malin Hortans.
Clean and hygienic facilities require high-quality cleaning. Hortans says that thoughtful and smart methods produce a better result than excessive use of chemicals, water and energy.
Sustainable choices are not just about materials and methods, but also about attitude and professionalism – and that is exactly what the Wasaline cleaning team has.
Less is smarter
According to Hortans, a fairly small selection of detergents is enough for regular cleaning.
– You need to have neutral, acidic and alkaline detergent. But not always: mirrors, for example, can often be cleaned with just water and a clean cleaning cloth, she says.
The biggest problem with detergents is the chemicals they contain, some of which, especially phosphates, cause damage when they get into waterways. The detergents used by Wasaline are biodegradable, meaning that the chemicals they contain break down into smaller components such as water, carbon dioxide and mineral salts.
– And under no circumstances is sewage water discharged into the sea. Everything is transported to the water treatment plant, Hortans underlines.
The ship is also currently testing new probiotic detergents that utilize the ability of nature’s own microbes, probiotics, to produce enzymes that break down dirt and utilize it in their own metabolism. In addition to the surfaces cleaned during cleaning, probiotic detergents are also expected to have a similar effect on the cleanliness and condition of the ship’s sewage system.
The detergents used on the ship are delivered in large five-liter canisters as concentrates. They are diluted with water and transferred to reusable spray bottles, significantly reducing the amount of packaging waste.
Sustainability tip for cabin passengers: only opening the beds you actually use reduces the need for laundry.
New generation cleaning methods
In addition to ecological cleaning agents, Wasaline utilizes so-called new generation cleaning methods and techniques that minimize the need for water, detergents and energy.
– The use of water cannot be avoided in cleaning, but for example, efficient steam cleaning uses only a fraction of it, and the energy-efficient carpet cleaner we have just introduced does the same, Hortans explains.
Instead of disposable washcloths, Wasaline uses washable, durable microfiber cloths that reduce the amount of waste.
– The small amount of waste that is inevitable generated is, of course, delivered for appropriate recycling in accordance with the shipping company’s environmental program, Hortans summarizes.
