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In a world grappling with environmental challenges, sustainability has become a pressing concern across various industries. Last year, Agecko sponsored Guy Waites in his Golden Globe Race. His recent completion highlights not only the incredible feat of human endurance but also serves as a reminder of the importance of waste minimization.

As Guy undertook his solo journey, he had to carefully manage his resources, demonstrating how waste can be kept to a minimum, highlighting the importance of sustainability and waste management.

As waste disposal control and minimisation is one of the rule stipulations for the Golden Globe Race, during his solo journey, Guy had to be acutely aware of the resources at his disposal. With limited supplies and a long voyage ahead, waste management was crucial. Every piece of waste produced had to be carefully considered, as excess weight on the boat would slow him down and potentially jeopardize his progress.

Guy made conscious choices to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials on board, aiming to create the least possible environmental impact during his voyage. His commitment to keeping waste to a minimum serves as an inspiration for us to reflect on our own waste generation and management practices.

With little effort this is what each person can produce in 4 months:

Of course, the issue of ocean litter cannot be overlooked when discussing waste minimization. Ocean litter poses a severe threat to marine life and the delicate balance of our global food chain. Plastic debris, discarded fishing gear, and other waste not only pollute the oceans but also entangle and suffocate marine animals, disrupt ecosystems, and contaminate the seafood we consume.

The magnitude of this problem requires a collective effort from all seafarers to “think like Guy Waites” and take full responsibility for the waste they produce at sea. By embracing sustainable practices, implementing effective waste management strategies, and raising awareness about the consequences of ocean litter, we can safeguard our precious marine ecosystems and preserve the integrity of our food chain for future generations.

In the business world, waste management is equally important. Companies across various sectors are now recognizing the need to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their environmental footprint. This is where Agecko, a leading waste management company, plays a crucial role.

Agecko offers innovative solutions to help organizations minimize waste, cut costs, reduce vehicle movement, lower CO2 emissions, and maximize recycling and rebates. By implementing their services, companies can significantly improve their waste management strategies and move towards a more sustainable position on the waste hierarchy.

By working closely with companies, Agecko identifies areas where waste can be prevented through process optimization, material substitution, or improved packaging design. They also encourage the reuse of materials and products whenever possible, reducing the need for new resources. Additionally, Agecko implements comprehensive recycling programs that ensure valuable materials are diverted from landfills, contributing to the circular economy.

The Round the World Golden Globe Race serves as a reminder that waste minimization is crucial, not just for sailors on a solo journey but for everyone seeking a sustainable future. Through innovation and a commitment to the waste hierarchy, companies like Agecko are helping businesses reduce costs, vehicle movement, CO2 emissions, and maximize recycling and rebates.

By minimizing waste and embracing sustainable practices, we can all contribute to a better and greener world.

A few words from Guy Waites:

In spite of all the struggles and obstacles we have all achieved a great deal in completing our circumnavigation together, it has always been a team effort even when I was alone in the middle of the oceans, everyone who has helped me get to the start line has been my motivation to finish! 

Waste management aboard a small boat, even for one person, is an important issue that cannot be underestimated. The overwhelming majority of waste on board was food packaging related, perhaps not too different to most households.

Not only is space and weight a premium aboard a boat but also the extent to which you can recycle what is left over from every meal, the can, bag, glass jar, plastic bottle etc. 

I managed the situation by maximising my use of recyclable packaging, rinsing food packaging to get the most out of the can and reduce the build-up of potential odours during long months of storage in a potentially damp environment. 

Space saving measures were taken by crushing metal cans and flat packing both foil and plastic food bags. Deliberately separating waste in to types e.g., metal, glass, plastic, paper etc. 

Once back ashore in Les Sables d’Olonne we were able to easily recycle the waste stored aboard Sagarmatha at a local recycling facility, even the bags used to store the waste were made from reusable or recyclable material”.

 

 

Remember we told you that Sara Millar had signed up to do a skydive for charity on 16th July 2022?

Well, she has only gone and done it! She raised a staggering amount of £2015 independently, but as you know, Agecko agreed that any amount raised would be matched. So, the total amount raised for The Three Bears Foundation is £4030.00.

Many other charities only give 5% directly towards Pancreatic Cancer so this amount of money will make a huge difference to this special foundation, who’s proceeds are solely for this least understood of cancers.

If you remember, Sara made a statement before she took to the skies:

“I am not a runner, a cyclist and if you asked my friends, they would laugh at the thought of me doing any form of exercise. I have always had a desire to skydive, giving the control over to someone else, again, those who know me, know I am always in control – but by combining stepping way out of my comfort zone and jumping from 11,000ft with an aim to raise £1,100 for a charity that gives all its proceeds to the fight against pancreatic cancer I can start to make a difference to stop the impact it has on so many lives”

 

Sara Millar on a skydive for charity Sara Millar charity sky dive skydive for charity photograph

Sara’s aim was to raise £1,100 and she has raised in total £4030.00! As you can imagine, all of us from Agecko and all of Sara’s amazing family and friends are incredibly proud. She has smashed this challenge and shown such courage, dedication and even grace. Only Sara could jump out of a plane at 11,000ft and land at the bottom with her hair and makeup still in place!

 

 

As you will see from various pictures, social media posts and even the local Easingwold Advertiser (where she made the front cover) we attended The Three Bears Foundation Charity Ball on Saturday 30th July. The Agecko team and Sara’s friends and family were in attendance, and we all had such a great time. Sara and Sam McHugh handed over the huge cheque, which now proudly sits in the Agecko office as a constant reminder of Sara’s achievement.

 

large cheque for Three Bears Foundation Sara Millar at The Three Bears Foundation charity ball cheque for The Three Bears Foundation

You can read what Sara’s has suggested to Agecko about future fundraising in her comments below:

“Skydiving was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done in my life – I can’t say I will be rushing to do another one. But I am extremely proud that with Agecko’s support we handed over such an incredible amount to the charity. I have discussed with my Directors the possibility of a different Agecko employee carrying out a charity challenge every year. Agecko could then sponsor that cause, as a company, just like they have with me this year”

A pledge to raise money for a different charity every year… sounds great! Watch this space for 2023 and many years to come!

Now to decide who is doing a challenge next year? Meet the team and tweet us who you think should go next.

Businesses all over the UK handle category 3 ABP (animal by-products). Our businesses manufacture and produce countless products made with meat, animal proteins, and hides, to name just a few! While category 3 ABPs are classed as low risk, they are still subject to strict regulations and legislations to maintain public, animal and environmental health.

Improper use of animal by-products can result in outbreaks of serious diseases. It can spread foot and mouth disease, avian influenza, or swine fever. So, controls are in place for the collection, storage, transport, treatment, use, and disposal of category 3 ABP.

Did you know that you could receive a £20,000 fine for failure to comply with legislation?

If your company works with animal by products, you need to ensure your site meets the requirements of UK law. This includes tight controls on category 3 waste management. The friendly team at Agecko have a wealth of experience in helping UK businesses comply with regulations when it comes to waste.

Working with us, you can avoid contamination of your site and comply with legislation. We also help you increase the sustainability of your business and save on waste. Chat to our team today to arrange a free site audit.

Book a site audit

sheep grazing in a field

Category 3 ABP sites

Any site hoping to handle or process category 3 ABPs must be approved by or registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Approval depends on what your site does and the type of by-products you handle.

It’s incredibly important that you avoid contamination of products in your site, particularly if you’re dealing with specified risk materials (SRM). SRMs are parts of cattle, sheep and goats that carry a high risk of the infectious disease, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).

It is absolutely essential that these parts are removed and destroyed before they can come into contact with human or animal food chains. You have to apply for authorisation to handle these products, and secure waste management is of the utmost importance. Contamination causes illness, fines, loss of income and long lasting reputational damage.

butcher slicing meat

Keeping compliant

Agecko are on hand to help you keep your category 3 ABP waste management fully compliant with UK law. We have a wealth of experience in supporting food manufacturers, caterers, farmers, butchers and slaughterhouses, as well as lots of other companies handling animal by-products.

We offer a wide range of solutions for compliant CAT 3 ABP waste. Segregation is at the heart of our waste management strategy. Proper segregation of waste protects against contamination in premises and makes it easier to re-use more and waste less.

Our goal is to help businesses become zero waste to landfill sites. Separating different waste streams at source makes this much simpler. By keeping waste materials together, it’s easier to recycle it. It also increases your sustainability credentials and prevents expensive landfill costs. In some cases, we can even help you get rebates for environmentally conscious waste management practices. Our clever team have even created a way to recycle contaminated food packaging – check it out.

In the case of CAT 3 ABP, we can help you turn waste into a potential revenue source. By converting food waste into energy with anaerobic digestion, you not only save on destruction costs, you create sustainable energy!

If you want to talk about category 3 ABP waste management, get in touch with the team at Agecko today.

Book a site audit

Call: 0800 342 3184
Email: info@agecko.com

We know you work very hard to ensure there is no contamination of products in your workplace. When working with food and animal products, you have to meet strict regulations to be able to get your products to market.

But what happens if an accident occurs and you cross contaminate CAT 3 animal by-products with human grade food or a piece of jewellery falls into the processor?

Our blog will talk you through common contaminants, advice for preventing contamination, and show how to sustainably handle contaminated food waste.

contaminant free fruit production line

Types of contamination

There are four main types of food contamination to be aware of:

Chemical contamination – this occurs when chemical substances contaminate the food. This could be fertilisers, pesticides, or cleaning substances.

Microbial contamination – this occurs when microorganisms enter the product. This includes bacteria, viruses, mould, fungi, and toxins.

Physical contamination – this occurs when an object enters the food and can be very harmful to the consumer. This can be anything from jewellery, cloth, packaging, bones, hair, flaking paint, or loose screws to name just a few.

Allergenic contamination – this occurs when a tool used for one product has also been used for one of the 14 named allergens. The non-allergenic food is then contaminated with the allergen and could be fatal to a consumer with a severe allergy.

The problem of contamination

Contamination of food products is a huge problem. It can prevent the finished product from meeting strict regulations to allow it to be a saleable quality. This means lots of wasted resources, time and money for a manufacturer. You might also find that your business is in breach of legal regulations and could face legal action.

In extreme cases, contaminated products that make it to the customer can also cause serious illness. The damage to reputation and potentially large compensation to be issued will severely harm the business.

Additionally recalling products is incredibly expensive, as you have to manage to waste products as well as the loss of sales and the administrative costs.

contaminated chocolate food waste

Preventing contamination

There are lots of steps you can take to help avoid the contamination of food products in your business. These include:

Segregation – keep raw materials and ready to eat foods separate, including their packaging materials. The tools and machinery used for different food processing should also be kept separate to limit the possibility of contamination.

Site hygiene – it goes without saying that your workspaces and equipment should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Cleaning materials should be stored securely away from any food products.

Staff education – make sure your staff know exactly what they need to do to maintain the very best hygiene standards while on site. Everyone must work together to support a contaminant free workspace and your managers and team leaders should be seen to uphold the same standards as other employees.

Get your free waste management poster here.

Regular maintenance – your equipment will not last forever so it’s important you carry out regular maintenance and inspections to limit the chance of physical contamination from your machinery.

Contaminated food waste management

If the worst should happen and you find you have contaminated food waste for disposal, you have a range of options. In the past, many producers would simply send these waste products to landfill, which is an expensive and inefficient solution.

Agecko offer a range of contaminated food waste management solutions. We work with businesses to help them become zero waste to landfill sites and offer sustainable, cost saving waste solutions. With effective waste segregation, even food contaminated plastics can be recycled and diverted from landfill. The food products can be sent for anaerobic digestion and converted into renewable energy.

Want to find out how we can help you become a zero waste to landfill site, become more sustainable, and save on waste management costs? Arrange your free waste audit today.

Book your free waste audit

As you may or may not be aware by now, Sara Millar (who has been a part of the Agecko family now for over seven years) has signed up to do a charity skydive on the 16th July 2022, to raise money for  The Three Bears Foundation . All money raised by this charity goes directly towards pancreatic cancer, whereas other cancer charities only give up to 5% to this least understood cancer charity. Pancreatic cancer is the most undiagnosed and least understood cancer charity. Sara’s goal is to increase public awareness and to raise valuable funds for a very worthy cause. The Three Bears mission is to overcome and stamp out one of the most under-diagnosed and least understood of cancers forever.

A statement from Sara herself;

 

 

“I am not a runner, a cyclist and if you asked my friends, they would laugh at the thought of me doing any form of exercise. I have always had a desire to skydive, giving the control over to someone else, again, those who know me, know I am always in control – but by combining stepping way out of my comfort zone and jumping from 11,000ft with an aim to raise £1,100 for a charity that gives all its proceeds to the fight against pancreatic cancer I can start to make a difference to stop the impact it has on so many lives”

 

 

Agecko’s promise to match every penny!

Agecko UK Ltd have agreed to match every penny raised, So in this instance, every penny really does count… To sponsor Sara and help raise funds for such a worthy cause please go to her go fund me page; https://www.gofundme.com/jumping-to-raise-funds-for-pancreatic-cancer

Alternatively you can contact Sara directly- sara.millar@agecko.co.uk  Freephone: 0800 342 3184

Here Sara is with Sam McHugh and Natan Elfassy, just Jon Earnshaw missing from the board of Directors.

If you’re a food manufacturer, we know you must manage a lot of waste, both from the food itself and the packaging you sell it in. The packaging you choose for your products is incredibly important, as it helps keep the items inside fresh and in saleable condition.

However, with the climate crisis at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. At Agecko, we’re able to help businesses to significantly improve efficiency and environmental performance, while also reducing waste costs.

In this blog, we’re going to show you some of the ways we have helped food manufacturers with their food packaging waste.

Recycling tricky plastics

In the UK, plastic packaging accounts for almost 70% of our plastic waste. And, as many plastics are defined as difficult to recycle, they often end up in landfill out of convenience. That’s why, through our expert knowledge, experience and waste innovations, Agecko have become experts at recycling typically hard to handle waste streams.

Agecko are masters in recycling your contaminated plastics, as we don’t mind contaminated plastics with food or even hazardous substances. Agecko will recycle this waste, divert 100% from landfill, reaching a much-improved waste hierarchy status and often making huge savings too.

See how we can recycle contaminated plastics

drinks bottle manufacturing

Segregation at source

A difficulty many businesses face when it comes to waste management is to successfully segregate each waste stream, due to lack of knowledge, education, support & guidance, which is where Agecko stand out from any other waste management company.

We implement correct, easy to follow segregation techniques, and staff education using the right equipment that is bespoke to you, as we believe every customer is unique and doesn’t deserve a set menu service.

Agecko will show you and support you in achieving your goals and solve all your waste headaches. We help with lack of space, service issues, staff education, or incorrect equipment. If you want to recycle more and pay less, we can help!

Learn how we saved £70,000 on a waste bill

Compliance with regulations

The UK government is responding to the imminent need for change to help secure the future health of our planet. The new Plastic Packaging Tax is one example of legislation change recently. It now can be extremely costly for businesses who don’t meet the minimum of 30% recyclables in their plastic packaging. With Agecko’s help, you can be sure that your business complies with UK regulations and avoids penalties.

Other areas for support

Our Agecko Waste experts can help with more than just food packaging. We cover all areas of food waste, including:

If you want to arrange your free waste audit with Agecko, please get in touch. We can help you streamline your waste management, reduce costs, and lower your environmental impact.

Book your free waste audit

There are lots of instances of fly tipping across the UK every week. Councils and landowners are inundated with reports of waste being dumped in cities and the countryside. It’s a real problem that does not seem to be getting better, even with the legislation and legal consequences in place.

In this blog, we’re going to show you exactly what fly tipping is and why it’s such a problem.

What is fly tipping?

Fly tipping is the name given to any ‘illegal dumping of liquid or solid waste on land or in water’. Typically, waste is dumped in secluded places by businesses or individuals to avoid having to pay proper disposal costs for the materials.

Why is fly tipping a problem?

Fly tipping is an incredibly damaging and costly issue. There are lots of problems created when waste material is improperly disposed of.

It’s expensive

Local councils must use taxpayer’s money to clean up fly tipped waste. We all know that money would be better invested elsewhere! If the waste is dumped on privately owned land, it often falls to the landowner to foot the clean up bill. This means they also have less available to invest in the local area too.

It damages the environment

Anything that’s placed in a natural environment that isn’t supposed to be there has the potential to be incredibly damaging. It disrupts eco systems and can injure or even kill wildlife. Additionally, dumped waste can contaminate soil and pose a threat to livestock and crops.

fly tipped rubbish in London

Hazard to human health

Often, fly tipped waste is materials that are difficult, or expensive, to dispose of, like asbestos roofing, fridges and freezers, or vehicle parts. These items contain substances that, if not correctly managed, can pose a serious threat to human health, as well as to the wider environment. Waste might also attract vermin and spread disease.

Communities suffer

If there are lots of instances of fly tipping in an area, it can have a serious impact on reputation. This has a knock-on effect to local communities. Businesses might avoid moving into the area and house prices might be negatively affected.

So, what can be done?

When it comes to fly tipping, it’s important to educate people of the dangers and costs associated. There are lots of things that you can do to help prevent fly tipping in your area. You can:

As a reputable waste management company, we know that there is always an alternative to dumping waste. Our team helps businesses send zero waste to landfill. We design cost saving solutions for waste management. Can you help us spread the word by also sharing this piece with your family, friends and colleagues?

Arrange your free waste audit

Food waste accounts for about a third of all food produced for human consumption. We’ll just let that sink in for a moment…

That is just one of many troublesome food waste facts that global society needs to address if we want to create a more sustainable future. In this blog, we’re going to show you why food waste is such a problem and offer some solutions we can all work on to help prevent such needless waste.

kitchen with food waste

5 food waste facts

We hope you’re sitting down for some of these food waste facts. They’re pretty shocking!

1. UK farmers waste 10 – 16% of their crop every year

Why? Because the perfectly edible crop is the wrong size or, wait for it… too ugly!  Supermarkets, for example, are unwilling to buy vegetables if they don’t meet a certain physical standard. They’re effectively body shaming carrots!

There are already steps in place to address this, but we certainly need to do more. Next time you go to the supermarket, pick up a bag of “wonky veg” rather than the unrealistically and unsustainably perfect versions. They all taste just the same – and will probably taste even better as you’ll know you’re helping prevent unnecessary waste.

2. 80 million pints of milk are thrown away in the UK yearly

Thanks to ‘use by’ labels, us Brits are throwing away approximately 80 million pints of milk every year. That’s especially difficult to swallow when you know that milk waste has the highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions compared to all other food.

You can help reduce milk waste in a number of ways. Buying only what you know you’re going to consume is a simple first step. You can also do the sniff test before throwing milk away simply based on the use by date. If we extended the use by date by just one day, we could save 250,000 tonnes of food from being wasted each year.

3. The average household wastes £470 of food per year

Throwing almost £500 away seems unthinkable to most people. Yet, the average UK household throws away the equivalent of £470 worth of food every year. For households with children, that rises to a whopping £700!

If you want to help prevent food waste, and save yourself some money while you’re at it, think more carefully about your food consumption. Plan your meals ahead of your weekly shop so you only buy the ingredients you know you’ll need. It’s better to have to top-up shop than buy too much and end up throwing good food away at the end of the week.

supermarket fruit

4. UK supermarkets throw away 190 million meals annually

Yes, you read that right. The equivalent of 190 million meals are thrown away by UK supermarkets each year, based on data from 2021. With one in five people living in poverty in Britain, those meals could make such a difference to people’s lives if big businesses thought about more than making a huge profit.

Waste and Resources Action Programme are a Government-backed charity working to rescue as much of this waste as possible. As we know, use by dates are unnecessarily damning and the food will likely still be safe to eat (we’re sure you’ll make reasonable judgements for yourself). WRAP are helping supermarkets and many more organisations to use their resources more sustainably.

5. 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste

Approximately 26% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to food. We’ve all got to eat, so it’s understandable a large proportion of our resources are dedicated to that goal. But 6% of that total comes from wasted food.

As food biodegrades in landfill, it generates methane, which is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat inside our atmosphere. But don’t worry, there’s a lot we can do to combat that!

At home, you can create your own compost with your food scraps. Not only will that stop food waste creating emissions in landfill, you’ll also be able to help regenerate the UK’s soil. Our top soils are severely malnourished after years of abuse. We need to help increase soil fertility to enable us to continue growing in the future.

On a larger scale for businesses, if they’re not looking to compost, food waste can be used from anaerobic digestion and actually turned into energy. This is just one solution available for businesses who are looking to transform their waste management and send zero waste to landfill. Agecko are experts in diverting waste from landfill, and we offer a free waste audit to help businesses become more sustainable.

Book a free waste audit

The problem of food waste

As we’re sure you’ll agree, food waste is a big problem. But, there are lots of solutions we can start working on together today! Think about your own food consumption and see if you can reduce your own food waste at home as well as campaigning for change in businesses. Together, we can help stop that third of all food produced getting wasted.

We’re sure you’ve heard a lot about sustainability and the circular economy and how important they are for the future of business. But what does it actually mean? In this blog, we’ll talk you through what these terms mean and give you some practical steps for simple actions in your business.

solar panel farm

Sustainability

Sustainability looks at how we can meet the needs in the present without having a damaging impact on future generations and their needs. It doesn’t just focus on natural resources either, though those are of course an important part. We also need to consider social and economic resources.

There are three key pillars that we consider when looking at living and working more sustainably: the environment, the economy, and society.

Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability occurs when actions maintain ecological integrity. For example, human use of natural resources could be considered sustainable when the resource is able to replenish itself and not become exhausted.

Economic sustainability

Economic sustainability comes when communities are able to remain independent and have full access to everything they need to thrive, including financial security.

Societal sustainability

All members of the community in a sustainable society will have access to universal human rights and all the resources they need to remain healthy and secure.

Circular economy

A circular economy builds on the ideas of sustainability and is based on eliminating waste and continually using resources. It moves away from the linear economy of the past, where we made, used and then disposed of materials.

Instead, a circular economy is based on make, use, and return materials. All products are re-used, repaired or recycled as part of a circle of regeneration. In this way, we can completely eliminate waste.

English countryside with wind turnbines for sustainability

Steps for your business

There are lots of ways you can increase the sustainability of your business. Take a look at some of our top tips for embracing the circular and transforming your operations.

Review your waste

There are many benefits to reviewing your waste streams. Not only is it a fantastic place to start with becoming more sustainable, you can actually save money and streamline your business operations too.

Agecko are experts in finding sustainable solutions for problematic waste streams. We help our clients achieve zero waste to landfill and work with innovative manufacturers across the UK to re-use and recycle waste into something new.

Book your free waste audit today

Use sustainable products

When looking to buy something new, consider how sustainable it is. There are lots of cleaning products and office supplies, for example, that have been designed with sustainability in mind that you can purchase.

Don’t just think about your consumables either. When it comes to furniture for your buildings, consider shopping second hand and upcycling.

Swap disposables wherever possible

If your business uses lots of single use products, ask yourself if they’re necessary. Scrap the single use cutlery in the canteen, replace single-use paper towels in bathrooms, and invest in eco friendly pens.

compostable and recyclable packaging

Look at your packaging

If you’re manufacturing goods, look at your packaging, as it’s often a large source of single use waste. Think about what changes you could make to increase sustainability. Compostable packaging is increasingly popular with consumers and contributes to your commitment to zero waste.

Make energy efficient upgrades

You can reduce your energy bill, shrink your carbon footprint and become more sustainable by looking at your energy consumption. Switch to more energy efficient appliances, use LED lights on automated sensors, and maximise natural light. You might even consider swapping staff desktops for laptops.

How Agecko can help

Agecko focus on problematic waste streams thought to be unrecyclable and find solutions to re-use or recycle this waste. We support the circular economy with the belief that one person’s waste is another person’s gain.

Working with you, we will help optimise your waste streams, saving you time, space and money. Our experts create innovative solutions for traditionally difficult to recycle items. For example, silicone wax paper is a popular material used for advertising and labelling. Typically, this waste is sent to landfill. No longer! Agecko’s in-house waste experts have found a way to re-use this material in product manufacturing.

Want to see how we can transform your waste?

Get in touch.

Could you imagine sailing out into the open sea all by yourself for a non-stop, 30,000-mile race around the world? No, we can’t either! But that’s exactly what the Golden Globe Race challenges 35 sailors to do.

Agecko are delighted to sponsor fellow Yorkshireman Guy Waites in the 2022 race as he braves one of the world’s most difficult sporting events, less than 200 sailors have ever completed the challenge.

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Guy is no stranger to an open water challenge. He has over 100,000 nautical miles of sailing experience and has made 5 single-handed Atlantic crossings. Guy was Skipper of the boat ‘Dare to Lead’ that Agecko’s Director, Jon Earnshaw, crewed on a journey across the Southern Ocean. They sailed from Cape Town to Freemantle on the Western coast of Australia, covering almost 5,000 nautical miles.

The Golden Globe Race

The Golden Globe Race is a celebration of the golden age of solo sailing. It began in 1968 with nine competitors attempting to race around the world alone in their sailboats. Only one managed to finish: Robin Knox-Johnston.

This year’s race will begin on 4th September 2022. Competitors will set off from Les Sables d’Olonne, France, and embark on their 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the world. They must sail to four rendezvous points before racing to return to the starting port to claim their prize.

Sailors must overcome the challenges of retro sailing, relying only on the technology that was available to Robin Knox-Johnston in the 1960s. They must rely on sextants, wind-up clocks, and wind vane steering to complete their journey. No GPS, autopilots, or electronic wind instruments are allowed!

Competitors can take shelter and drop anchor if they need to, but they must not enter a port or get help from outside sources. Of course, for safety, each vessel will have a sealed safety box with GPS and satellite phone for emergencies. All sailors will be always tracked by a satellite, but they will not have access to this information.

Supporting Guy

Guy has been invited to the challenge after working with competition legend Robin Knox-Johnston in 2019. But this recommendation is just the first step in the long journey ahead, and Guy needs a lot more help if he is going to complete the Golden Globe Race!

You can find out more about his sailing adventures and preparation for the 2022 race on his website: Guy Waites Sailing.

If you want to get involved and help support Guy on his voyage, you can donate online today.

Sponsor Guy

Agecko are a second-tier sponsor for Guy’s Golden Globe Race. This retro sailing event aligns with Agecko’s principles. It creates worldwide appreciation and attention towards our amazing oceans, and the awareness to further protect them from vast pollution.

The challenge also simultaneously shows man’s determination to achieve against all odds, with just technology from the 1960s and zero polluting technologies. It’s a powerful reminder of the great things we human beings are capable of if we try. Solving the ocean’s plastic pollution problems is within our capabilities and should be on every companies’ agenda. It’s easier than you might think to make real change:

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