SEATTLE, April 4,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines and the
Surfrider Foundation announced today a national partnership focused
on protecting coastal habitats through efforts such as reducing
plastic waste and engaging employees and communities in beach
cleanups across the West Coast and throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Alaska and Surfrider, both West
Coast-based organizations with broad national reach, will
collaborate to help protect our coastlines, expand education and
awareness of the challenges that threaten our ocean, beaches and
marine environments, and grow participation in beach cleanup and
habitat restoration activities along the coasts.
"As a West Coast-based airline, we appreciate the role that our
ocean and coasts play in our communities – beautiful places to
enjoy, but also a critical part of natural ecosystems and local
culture and livelihoods," said Scott
Coughlan, director of sustainability at Alaska Airlines.
"We're committed to being part of a positive future for these
critical places which is why we've set goals for our company to
reduce waste and have made significant progress in the last few
years to reduce single-use plastic on our flights."
Coughlan continued: "We are inspired by Surfrider's grounding in
both inspiration and joy in the natural world and in the science
about what will keep our ocean and coastal habitats healthy for the
long term. The Surfrider team truly walks the talk, rolling up
their sleeves to clean up beaches and other impacted areas. We are
excited to share our passion for bringing people together, and for
sustainability, to partner on this journey."
Launching this Earth Month, Alaska and Surfrider will organize a series of
events to invite Alaska employees
and members of our West Coast communities, including California, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest, to clean up
beaches through Surfrider's extensive network of grassroots leaders
and volunteers. They will also work together on ongoing cleanup and
restoration projects and collaborate on education and advocacy to
support the reduction of single-use plastics.
"The Surfrider Foundation is proud to partner with Alaska
Airlines, which has been a leader in reducing single-use plastics
in air travel," said Surfrider's CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen.
"Starting in 2018 with the elimination of straws, they are now
encouraging their passengers to use reusables and
#fillbeforeyoufly, while also eliminating plastics cups. We are
excited to extend their commitment to reduce plastic pollution to
coastal communities through cleanups and local education."
Since 1984, the Surfrider Foundation has been working to protect
and preserve the world's ocean, waves and beaches for all people
through a powerful activist network. It started as a group of
surfers that came together to protect the beaches in Malibu, California and has grown into one of
the largest coastal protection groups in the world.
Alaska is the first airline to
eliminate plastic water bottles, cups, straws, stir sticks and
citrus picks from inflight service, annually reducing more than 2.2
million pounds of plastic waste. Alaska has set voluntary sustainability goals
for reducing its environmental impact in carbon, waste, and water –
including replacing the top five waste-producing items in onboard
service by 2025 – and balancing its water footprint through habitat
restoration projects. While Alaska
takes steps to eliminate plastics, it also encourages guests to
join in reducing waste by bringing their own water bottles to
#FillBeforeYouFly.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and our regional
partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa
Rica and Mexico. We strive
to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service
and an industry-leading loyalty program. As a member of
the oneworld alliance, and with our additional
global partners, our guests can travel to more than
1,000 destinations on more than 25 airlines while earning
and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the
world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and
follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska
Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.
Surfrider
The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit
grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment
of our world's ocean, waves and beaches for all people through a
powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of
visionary surfers in Malibu,
California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains more than
a million supporters, activists and members, with over 200
volunteer-led chapters and student clubs in the U.S., and more than
800 victories protecting our coasts. Learn more
at surfrider.org.
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SOURCE Alaska Airlines