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Tag Archives: RAK

DISH SOAP BOTTLE — MADE OF WHAT????

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grey biodegradable dish and hand soap squirt bottle made from ocean plastic

BIODEGRADABILITY

Leave it to the folks at method®.  They make biodegradable cleaning products.  The company uses the power of  business to create positive social and environmental change.

The next item in their arsenal is unique.  method® packages their 2-in-1 dish + hand soap in bottles.  The bottles are made with recovered ocean plastic.

 

RECALL THE SEABIRDS

Readers of our blog might recall our September 15, 2015 post detailing the alarming rate at which seabirds are eating plastic.  Studies indicate 8 million metric tons of plastic dumped into our oceans each year. This plastic pollutes our environment. Additionally, it hurts our marine life populations.

 

 

HOW DOES METHOD® FUNCTION IN THIS?

method® hopes to raise awareness of the importance of reusing plastic.  The packaging is a blend of recovered ocean plastic and post-consumer recycled plastic.  Importantly, all plastic used to make the bottles was collected by method® employees!

 

COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS

We provide private luxury yacht charter vacations.  Therefore, we know the importance of everyone doing their part – no matter how small that role might be.  In addition, our company President, Jana Sheeder, often reminds the 1-800 Yacht Charters team of the Starfish parable.  In her volunteer work, she often gives copies of the gratitudinous parable to her team.

 

– The Boy and the Starfish –

A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water.

Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean.

As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water.

The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied, “I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. “But,” said the man, “You can’t possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can’t possibly make a difference.”

The boy looked down, frowning for a moment; then bent down to pick up another starfish, smiling as he threw it back into the sea. He replied, “I made a huge difference to that one!” 

~Author Unknown~

starfish in the sand with sailboat anchored in the sea in the background

 

BOOK A YACHT CHARTER

In conclusion, book your luxury yacht charter vacation through 1-800 Yacht Charters and receive a gift.  Specifically, a complimentary Eco-tote handbag for each member of your yacht charter party!  For more information, contact 1-800-922-4824 or fill in our convenient online inquiry form at https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/

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It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week  #RAKWeek – Spread the Kindness

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Logo with animated dog under umbrella that says Random Acts of Kindness Week

 

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

The week of February 14-20 is your chance to ramp up the idea of “being kind” as the world celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week, 2016.  Let’s extend Random Acts of Kindness Week!!!

 

THE FOUNDATION

Created by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, the week-long event is a way for all of us to “…step up your acts of kindness, be loud with your generosity, and commit to being a better person throughout the year. We believe kindness is a daily practice, but this is a week to celebrate and inspire others to join you.”

 

HOW TO BE KIND

There are soooo many things we can do, and sooo many ways to get involved.  All it takes is a bit of time — and a big heart!

 

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS THAT ANYONE CAN DO

  • Smile at or wave to a stranger
  • Hand a cold drink to a police officer directing traffic
  • Compliment a parent on how well-behaved his/her child is
  • Defend someone who’s being unfairly bashed on the internet
  • Put your phone away when you’re at dinner or having a conversation
  • Compliment an employee to his/her boss
  • Donate that bag of clothing items that you really didn’t want to part with yet…
  • Let a person with just a few items check out in front of you at the store
  • Write a thank you note on paper – the snail mail kind – and send it!
  • Give an unexpected gratuity to an employee who’s gone above and beyond for you
  • Write a nice comment on a random blog
  • Say thank you to a postal carrier
  • Give a tip to a janitor because the cleanliness is appreciated and made your day
  • Buy an extra umbrella and give it to someone in need when it’s raining
  • Do something nice and remain anonymous!
  • Buy lemonade from kids’ lemonade stands – and compliment them (always)
  • Change your phone’s alert ringtone to Temple Bells, and every time the bell chimes, state something for which you are grateful (Jana Sheeder calls these bells, “Gratitude Bells“)

 

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE

From yesterday:

We were inspecting private yacht charter vessels at the inaugural Superyacht Miami Show, when I noticed our company President, Jana Sheeder, bent over picking something up on the docks.  A few minutes later, I saw her do it again.  I asked her what she was doing, and she proceeded to lay a handful of objects out on the dock for us to see.  It was small items of debris – a used book of matches, some plastic, a metal bolt, and more. “Any of these objects could end up in the water, possibly harming the marine environment or adding to our problems with plastic pollution at sea.  It only took a couple of moments to stop and pick these items up and try to make a difference.

Miscellaneous trash items found on dock of yacht marina laid out on the top of a metal dock box

 

 

 

 

 

KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY

Suddenly, I found myself looking down as I walked along the dock, hoping I too could “chip in” and do my small part…   Generosity and kindness are contagious, and it feels so good to do random things for others and for our community!

 

MOTIVATION

Need a little more motivation to jump feet-first into Random Act of Kindness Week?  Sign the online “Kindness Pledge,” and you’ll be on your way to inspire others to do their part in making a kinder world for everyone.

SIGN the pledge here:  https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/rakweek2016#pledge-form

 

 

SHARE YOUR RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

We’d love to hear your suggestions of Random Acts of Kindness. Please leave them in the comments section for others to follow your lead in kind acts!

Have a kinder, generous week everyone…  Thank you for making a difference and for being the change with us!

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Making a Difference: What to do with Old Saddle Pads

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SADDLE PADS AND PRIVATE YACHTS

What do horse saddle pads have to do with boats, and private yacht charters, and the ocean?

We love our work and are passionate about sharing The Superyacht Experience™ with our clients and friends.  In addition, we love spending time away from the water. For example, on a ranch with horses, pastures, and clean, country air.

 

A STACK OF PADS

Last week, I noticed a stack of old saddle pads in the barn.  They are still usable.  Specifically, soft and thick, but starting to fray a bit.

We came up with an idea.  In specific, a way to recycle the pads and put them to good use.  Extend their lives.

So, we put washed the pads, tossed them into a couple of reusable, eco-friendly  1-800 Yacht Charter “Eco-tote” bags, and took them to our local animal rescue shelter, PAWS4YOU.   It turns out, saddle pads make perfect beds for dogs!

The pads are mostly rectangular in shape, and filled with soft, cushiony fabric.  The same thick fabric designed to protect a horse from the impact of a rider and saddle when riding makes a nice “bed”  for a small to medium-sized dog.

Actual dog beds that you buy at a pet store are expensive and beyond the budget of most pet rescue organizations.  It sure felt good when “Bernard” a rescued beagle available for adoption at PAWS4YOU came out to accept our donated saddle pads.  We also had the extra satisfaction of knowing we made a difference on November 13th, World Kindness Day!!!

Bernard the rescued beagle dog and a volunteer sit beside bag of donated horse saddle pads for shelter dogs. The totebag of pads is navy blue with a handle, and it reads "Eco-Hero," with an arrow pointing up toward the person holding the tote (the volunteer). She is holding the green leash of the rescued dog, and she is squatting down and smiling at the camera. They are in the grass. There are cars in the background.

 

Our hats are forever tipped to the many volunteers at PAWS4YOU, and all they do to help shelter and adopt homeless and abused pets in Miami, Florida.

So, the next time you find old towels, blankets, (or, if you ride horses, a saddle pad or three) in your house (or barn), don’t throw them away.  Wash them and find a local animal shelter in your community.  Make a difference and donate them to help the animals! #horse #saddlepads #animalrescue

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Trash in Luxury Yacht Charter Marinas. It’s Simple to Make a Difference.

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Photograph of various pieces of debris picked up on dock in a marina. Items include a metal washer, piece of rope, a silver bolt, a length of fishing line, and a piece of plastic. The background of the photo shows multiple superyachts docked, with palm trees in the background.

Please be an eco-hero and remove trash from our waterways

SICKENING PHOTO

This is a photo from the beautiful Yachts Miami Beach Boat Show.  Our inspections included several private luxury yacht charter vessels docked at the Deep Harbour Island Gardens marina, near downtown Miami, Florida.  As we walked along the docks, I noticed our company President, Jana Sheeder, often pausing, bending down, picking up something, and putting it in her “Eco-Hero” tote bag.  I asked Jana what she was picking up, and she paused and poured a few of the contents of her bag onto a locker box on the dock.

“Take a look,” she sighed. “This debris can easily end up in the water where it becomes part of the ocean pollution problem, as well as a threat to birds and marine life.”

 So, I snapped the photo you see here.

THE IMAGE

When I look at this photo, I see beautiful superyachts that serve as a gateway to experience the wonders of our oceans.  I see a segment of the tourism industry – private luxury yacht charter – that generates millions of dollars of revenue annually.  I see a support network of thousands of crewmembers, dockhands, marina workers, and maintenance and repair staff.  They all support their families from a livelihood that is inextricably dependent upon healthy oceans.

For me, the trash in the photo is a harsh reminder that the refuse we see floating in marinas and along the seawalls and walkways is a direct threat to the health of our waterways. It is also, therefore, a threat to our own livelihood.

As you read this blog, I can guess what some of you are thinking.  “I’m not part of the problem – I would never throw trash in the water.”  Good intention, but you or someone you know might still be directly responsible for pollution in our waterways.

 

MYTH BUSTING 

It’s a common misconception that most trash comes from people throwing things directly into the water.  

“Believe it or not,  much to the trash in our waterways comes from litter thrown out of cars, litter that blows from surrounding areas into the waterways, illegal dumping, and this item really irks me – cigarettes left on the ground,” says Jana.  “During a big rainstorm, all that junk ends up in the watershed, and some of it eventually makes its way down to the bays, harbors, marinas, beaches, and worse – onto our fragile coral reefs and into the stomachs of marine life (like fish and turtles) and shorebirds.”

 

CLEANUP  EFFORTS

Efforts are underway to rid our waterways of trash.  In Baltimore, Maryland, two (rather cute) trash wheels are pulling debris from the harbor before it flows into Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Trash Wheel (male) and Professor Trash Wheel (female with eyelashes) are solar and hydro-powered trash interceptors in place in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Over a million pounds of trash has been pulled out of the water by Mr. Trash Wheel since it was installed in May 2014 (Professor Trash Wheel was installed in December 2016).

Mr. Trash Wheel in a marina

 

Professor Trash Wheel - with eyelashes

John Kellett (a true ECO-HERO!) invented the trash wheels and tracks the debris collected.  Since May 2014, when Mr Trash Wheel went operational, almost nine million cigarette butts and over 300,000 plastic bags have been collected.   Additionally, Mr. Trash Wheel picks up an average of 14,000 Styrofoam containers a month – second only to cigarettes.

Kellett echoes Jana’s thoughts that the problem starts on shore.  “I thought we were being ambitious with the harbor, but now people are talking about cleaning up the ocean,” Kellett said. “But I think the most effective solution is to get the trash before it gets there.” 


WHAT YOU CAN DO

No matter where you live, you CAN make a difference and help protect our natural resources.  Let’s review some simple steps we can all take:

  • No butts about it!  Are you a smoker, or know someone who is?  Don’t throw your cigarette butts out of your car window or onto the ground.  It takes just a second more to locate an ashtray or garbage receptacle.
  • Say “NO” to single use, disposable plastic products.  Reusable shopping bags are available everywhere!  They’re affordable and many places give them away as promotional items.  Please think twice when your grocer asks you, “paper or plastic?”  Say no thank you to either option, and hand your grocer a reusable bag.  Many stores give discounts (Target and Whole Foods, for example) when you use them, and you can turn your discount around and donate it to charity, through the store!
  • Pick up at least one piece of “someone else’s trash” and properly dispose of it today.  If everyone did this, it would make a HUGE impact and keep trash from finding its way into our waterways and environment.  It’s amazing how many people just don’t care…  (Many people refer to picking up refuse left by others as “karma trash,” or cleaning up poop at dog parks as “karma poops.”  It’s just good KARMA to help the earth and the environment!)
  • Be the change you want to see in the world.  If you have children, lead them by example when they are young and/or are especially eager to learn.  Show them that you refrain from disposable plastic bags… Get them to drink from reusable water bottles and not plastic water bottles.  Take them to the beach and show them the pollution that washes up on the shore and share with them how it harm the birds, creatures, and corals in the sea.   Track down a video of a sea turtle eating a plastic bag (thinking that it is a jellyfish)…or a seabird or sea lion with a plastic six-pack ring around its neck (which can easily eventually kill the animal).  They will follow your lead!

What do I hope will happen?  I look forward to the day that Mr. Trash Wheel and Professor Trash Wheel are forced to take days off because there is no debris for them to clean up!

Jana Sheeder sitting on the aft couch of a yacht in a marina

Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters and 1-800 BAREBOAT, with Eco-Hero Reusable Tote Bag

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If you are ready to make a difference, text HERO to 305-720-7245 and we’ll send you an “Eco-Hero” tote bag – just like the ones Jana carries with her and also uses at boat shows.  It’s Jana’s gift to you – from Jana and our team at 1-800 Yacht Charters!

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