Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise operator, said it has achieved its aim of sending ‘zero to landfill’ in the refurbishment of Borealis.

The company purchased the now 1,360-guest ship Borealis last September from Holland America Line and has conducted a large refurbishment, including upgrades to public areas and guest cabins and the replacement of a number of bathrooms.

“Working with the Binn Group, based in Perth, Scotland, Fred. Olsen has been able to recycle tiles into cement and materials for construction sites, carpet into wood blocks to create fuel and timber to create chipboard flooring,” the company said in a statement.

In addition, items such as bath tubs and panels, wood and pillows will also now be used to help create energy.

Thomas Rennesland, Hotel Operations Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Our crew have worked tirelessly on the refurbishment of Borealis, to ensure that when guests join us on board on 5th July they are stepping onto a ship with all the Fred. Olsen touches that we are so well known for.”

“Borealis is a beautiful ship, and while we wanted to make her our own, we also wanted to ensure that we were not wasteful. It makes us very proud to have achieved ‘zero to landfill’ for this project, and I would like to thank the Binn Group who have worked with us to help us achieve our goal.”

Brian Harkins, Managing Director for the Binn Group, said: "Working together we have not only provided the best solution for our customer but also the best solution for the planet. Carbon impact and sustainability is at the heart of what we do and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have been a pleasure to work with given that their values on sustainability and carbon align so well with our own.”