Mount Gay Campaign to Combat Single Use Plastic

     Rum brand Mount Gay has partnered with sea-conservation charity Oceana to launch the More Taste, Less Waste campaign to support the fight against single-use plastic.   Mount Gay Rum has partnered with Oceana to campaign against the use of single-use plastics.   More Taste, Less Waste aims to encourage the reduction of single-use plastics by asking consumers of Mount Gay rum to pledge to cut down on their own plastic use to improve the condition of the world’s oceans.   As part of its environmental commitment, Mount Gay will also ensure everyone is “equipped to sip” with the launch of reusable products at designated accounts and events.

     Dorothee Heriard Dubreuil, brand director of Mount Gay, said: “Mount Gay has a deep appreciation for the environment, from the ingredients used to create our high-end rums derived from the terroir of Barbados to the brand’s longstanding connection to the sea and sailing community.

     “In partnership with a like-minded brand, Oceana, and through the More Taste, Less Waste pledge, we are proactively implementing initiatives to help further reduce our footprint and promote social responsibility while still enjoying Mount Gay cocktails with friends and family across America.”   An estimated 17.6 billion pounds of plastic pollutes the marine environment each year, according to Oceana, which equates to pouring a rubbish truck full of plastic into the sea every minute.

     Mount Gay will further support Oceana’s efforts through a joint digital ‘call to action’, and offer a list of ways for consumers to get involved with Oceana’s work to reduce single-use plastics during social occasions with friends and family.  This includes promoting a reduction in the use of plastic straws and stirrers, as well as food items and garnishes in single-use plastic containers, and to use reusable cups, bottles and bags.

     Shelly Brown, education director, Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana, said: “Through our policy campaigns and by building a community of eco-conscious boaters who are taking action such as eliminating single-use plastics on their boats as part of our Green Boating initiative via Sailors for the Sea, we are committed to efforts towards reducing plastic pollution.

“We believe this partnership will resonate with people eager to help Oceana win victories for our oceans.”  Over the last year, Barbadian Mount Gay has moved to use compostable cups for all sampling and regatta events, embarked upon a local ‘Skip the Straw’ program and encouraged people to reuse the red Mount Gay thermos cup.

More information on the campaign can be found online at oceana.org/mountgayrum.