2024 results presentation
Aqua d’Aia is committed to the most respectful and eco-responsible practices in the management and operation of its boat rental business in Beaulieu-sur-mer.
The company has been selected to take part in the European co-funded First Mile project, which aims to accelerate sustainability in tourism SMEs through behavioral science.
Following the implementation of behavioural tactics for the 2024 season and tests carried out with our passengers, here are the results of our work:
BEHAVIORAL TACTICS TESTED / KEY OBJECTIVES / PROCESSES AND RESULTS
For WASTE MANAGEMENT
TACTICS 1
Encourage “leave no trace” behavior by providing waste bags.
WHY?
Waste at sea comes in all shapes and sizes: cigarette butts, cotton buds, fishing nets and tackle, hunting wads, biomedia, balloons, etc. Plastic waste (packaging, bags, industrial pellets, etc.) is by far the most widespread type of waste in the marine environment. Plastic waste (packaging, bags, industrial granules, etc.) is by far the most widespread type of waste in the marine environment, and single-use plastics such as cutlery, bottles, straws, cotton buds and cigarette filters are responsible for 50% of marine pollution.
OUR CHOICE
We chose SEA WASTE BAGS in mesh; the mesh bag has many advantages: its durability, its resistance, its small size (40L) is practical to give to our passengers who each have their own bag in the cabin and are therefore autonomous in their use.
The bags are emptied into bags stored on the boat, sorted and weighed ashore before being disposed of in the appropriate containers.
RESULTS
In 2 months, 235kg of waste were collected and 110kg were sorted.
TACTICS 2
Encourage trackless behavior by providing additional information.
WHY?
Because we’re committed to an eco-responsible approach, we’re taking part in the First Mile project to propose concrete, sustainable solutions for reducing our carbon footprint on a daily basis. But we can’t do it without your help! Find out what you can do on board Mèfi to protect our beautiful Mediterranean, as well as what you need to do on board to stay safe and take care of your boat. The Côte d’Azur is a very popular destination both on land and at sea, and every day it becomes a victim of its own success, with mass tourism sometimes oblivious to the fragile balance between Man and Nature. Join us in working towards a more sustainable future” (brochure introduction).
OUR CHOICE
A GUIDE TO USES AT SEA AND ON BOARD, presenting eco-gestures as a standard to be adopted on board.
RESULTS
Behaviour is gradually changing, with the majority of passengers involved.
TACTICS 3
Rewarding eco-gestures
WHY?
To encourage our passengers to follow our recommendations, to encourage positive behavior.
OUR CHOICE
Reward TEE SHIRTS with our logo for a souvenir gift.
RESULTS
Improved results, especially for children
REDUCING SINGLE-USE WASTE
TACTICS 1
Reduce plastic waste by making water taps visible and encouraging customers to drink tap water.
WHY?
-To eliminate the storage of bottled water for drinking and food preparation.
-To eliminate the plastic waste associated with drinking bottled water.
OUR CHOICE
A flexible DRINKING WATER TANK for storage WITH FILTRATION at the dedicated tap
A sticker next to the tap to remind you that the water is safe to drink.
The user guide also reminds us of the existence of the pump, which reduces single-use plastics and therefore has a positive impact on the environment.
Personalized cups are already available on the yacht.
RESULTS
422 1.5l water bottles saved on purchase, storage and disposal over 2 months of rental.
The experiment is continuing for the 2025 season, and we plan to consolidate our existing solutions and integrate ADDITIONAL TACTICS:
ADDITIONAL TACTIC 1
Offer more attractive water bottles and reusable cups
NEW DESIGN with many advantages:
Personalization by color and card, easy filling, ideal cap and capacity, strength and lightness, inoffensive and inert materials with 0% particle migration in water, minimal production impact and 100% French manufacturing;
THEORETICAL RESULTS: in 1 year, we can save up to 5 kilos of disposable plastic and 15 kilos of CO² per passenger.
ADDITIONAL TACTIC 2
Intelligent energy use
Install an additional system to save water in reservoirs: a SEA WATER PUMP
Advantages: saves water in reservoirs, as seawater is drawn directly from the source.
THEORETICAL RESULTS: in 2 months of average activity, 1,800 liters of water can be saved (washing up for 8 passengers consumes around 30 liters of water).
To be continued…
With the support of First Mile / Avitem / OTL and co-financed by the European Union
