Responsible procurement, consumption and waste management

Our key initiatives

We seek to create more with less through conscious choices, digital tools and continuous improvement.

Responsible procurement with influence

Our procurement processes are a key component of our sustainability efforts. All suppliers and distributors are required to sign our ethical guidelines – the Color Line Supplier Code of Conduct. This clarifies our expectations and facilitates follow-up through dialogue, reporting and audits. We actively set clear requirements and encourage our partners to use our commitment as an incentive to strengthen sustainability within their own value chains. 

Reducing consumption – a shared effort

Reducing consumption is a central element of our internal sustainability work. We systematically map and reduce the use of materials such as plastic, paper, water, electricity and single-use items, both on board our vessels and at land-based facilities. This involves smarter procurement, improved routines and increased awareness among employees.

Digitalisation plays a key role. Through new solutions, we can measure, analyse and monitor consumption in real time. This provides the data foundation needed to implement effective measures and ensure reductions where they have the greatest impact—both economically and environmentally.

Reducing food waste – increasing insight

Food waste is a priority area, and we are working purposefully to reduce waste across production, service and canteen operations. All vessels and locations are implementing digital tools that measure and record all food waste, enabling close monitoring and targeted initiatives. These include adjustments to plate sizes, serving methods and clearer communication about food waste in restaurants and crew messes.

By making results visible, we foster ownership and motivation among employees, while also raising awareness among passengers—particularly in buffet settings.

Waste as a resource

We strive for a holistic and integrated approach to waste management, where as much material as possible is reused or recycled. All waste streams are mapped and sorted in accordance with best practices in the country where the waste is generated, both on board vessels and at land-based facilities.

In 2024, Color Line developed improved waste management procedures across all vessels and land-based operations. The focus is on strengthening source separation, reducing waste volumes and ensuring proper treatment of waste materials through adapted routines, equipment, training and communication aimed at crew members, shore-based employees and passengers.

In early 2025, all vessels and terminals were upgraded with new waste-sorting facilities to comply with upcoming Norwegian regulations on waste management, as well as the EU Waste Framework Directive. To support implementation of the new procedures and equipment, Color Line provides information and training to both employees and passengers. This training ensures that everyone on board is familiar with the waste management guidelines and understands their responsibility to follow them. From 2025 onwards, we will be able to sort a significantly larger share of the waste generated by our operations, supporting our targets and contributing to reduced emissions within the waste category.

Smarter logistics and reduced packaging

We continuously work to improve goods logistics and reduce unnecessary packaging. This includes fewer deliveries with higher load factors, and clear requirements for suppliers to use recyclable packaging in both logistics and packing. These requirements apply to goods delivered via our central warehouse as well as directly to vessels and locations.