We are taking steps to reduce our use of single-use plastic items internationally.

Aviva has pledged to reduce the use of plastic internationally, in a bid to help tackle the growing issue of plastic waste.

In the UK, where the company is the country’s largest insurer, Aviva has already committed to:

• Remove all disposable cups from vending machines, water coolers and cafés in its UK offices by the end of 2018.
• Eliminate single-use plastic at UK sites, including cafes and events, by the middle of 2019* 

“Plastic waste is a problem which, quite literally, hasn’t gone away. Experts predict there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world’s oceans by 2050 if we don’t make changes now**.

This issue is crucial to our customers, our employees and the communities we serve. As an international business we have a responsibility to leave a different sort of legacy, so we are looking at the steps we can take worldwide to radically reduce our use of plastic.

Small changes can make a big difference and the pledges we have made demonstrate our commitment to this important cause.”

Nick Amin Group Chief Operations and IT Officer, Aviva

The following initiatives to reduce plastic have been introduced across UK sites and will be rolled out across Aviva’s international locations throughout 2018:

Achievements:

• Compostable cutlery – all sites have stopped ordering plastic cutlery and now use a compostable version
• Plastic water bottles – plastic water bottles have been removed from hospitality and events in London, Norwich and York and replaced with re-useable glass alternatives.
• Keep Cups - customers receive a discount for using a reusable cup in Aviva cafes eg a 20 pence discount per drink in the UK. 

Plans:

• Hospitality plastic water bottles – to be removed from hospitality and events at all other sites (outside London, Norwich and York) and replaced with re-usable alternatives.
• Café food packaging – alternatives being sought for salad containers and sandwiches.
• Vending machines – single-use plastic items will be removed where market alternatives exist.
• Suppliers – we are working with our suppliers to eliminate single-use plastics and encourage them to sign up to the WRAP UK Plastics Pact.

ENDS

* Where alternatives exist in the market. There may be some instances, such as crisp packets, where single-use items contain a small proportion of plastic. Aviva will continue to review products available to ensure that single-use plastic can be eliminated wherever possible. 

** Source: The New Plastics Economy Rethinking the future of plastics - a report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with the World Economic Forum.