CORONA and PARLEY to end sea plastic pollution

By Oscar Michel, Masters in Journalism, DCU

A new alliance was made between Corona and Parley with the goal of protecting 100 islands by 2020. The procedure will start in six key regions: Mexico, Maldives, Australia; Chile, Italy and Dominican Republic.

The partners released a new short movie to raise awareness for the cause featuring WSL athletes Matt Wilko, Johanne Defay and Jordi Smith as well as Ramon Navaroo, big wave surfer.

In this film we can understand the negative impact of plastic pollution on life underwater, on uninhabited islands, and in local communities.

Greg Long and Ramon Navarro, two wave surfers, will work alongside to the event raising people’s awareness. Parley AIR also engaged ambassadors to represent the partnership in their countries. Chris Hemsworth (Australia), Diego Luna (Mexico), Ramon Navarro (Chile) and Nashla Bogaert (Dominican Republic).

The idea for Parley AIR was to find a collaboration with the beverage industry to raise people’s awareness. Corona is a brand committed to protecting its heart and homeland, they also had a major partnership: The World Surf League (WSL).

“We are all connected to the sea. The state of our islands is a powerful reminder of that fact. Plastic trash travels around the world and washes up on the most remote beaches, enclosing paradise with a belt of colorful plastic debris. It makes you understand that something is dead wrong. Plastic is a design failure… In Corona, we found the perfect partner to bring this philosophy and strategy to a new territory: the beverage sector. Economy caused this plastic problem in the first place, but with the transformative power of collaboration and Eco Innovation, we can make it the key to the solution” said Cyrill Gutsh, founder of Parley for the Oceans.

“We needed to take a stand and protect the heart and soul of our brand. We will spread our love for the oceans and make people understand that we need to take care of it, inspiring people to change their own behaviors. Corona is present in more than 180 countries and we have the opportunity and the responsibility to use that reach to be a voice for the oceans” said  Thiago Zanettini, Global Vice President of Corona.

Meaningful initiatives will be talking place during the WSL event:

• Avoiding the use of plastic whenever possible: no plastic bottles, cutlery or bags will be made available on site; glass bottles, wooden cutlery and Corona x Parley tote bags will be provided instead.
• An on-site Corona x Parley pavilion will serve as an education hub about topics such as marine plastic pollution, Parley’s AIR Strategy as well as the Corona x Parley partnership.
• Attendees will be invited to learn about the Parley AIR Strategy and take a pledge to join the movement and commit to avoid single-use plastic in their daily lives. In return, pledgers will receive a complimentary Corona x Parley tote bag screen-printed on site, as well as a chance to take away a hand-shaped surfboard.
• Parley Talks will take place at Casa Corona featuring two big wave surfers; Parley Ambassador Greg Long and Corona Ambassador Ramon Navarro. Details of the event will be shared on site. Long and Navarro will also join the event broadcast team to help inform and educate the global WSL audience of the Corona x Parley partnership and the problems caused by ocean plastic.

Parley AIR stands for: A=Avoid plastic, I=Intercept plastic waste, R=Redesign plastic materials and products.

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