World Environment Day is being celebrated on June 5, 2017, and to honor the day, the cruise industry is sharing 10 of its best eco-friendly practices. From reduced emissions to recycling programs, the cruise industry takes proactive measures to preserve oceans. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has highlighted some of the earth-friendly initiatives by CLIA Cruise Line Members, including:
- Green Policies: Many cruise ships employ “green policies” on land and at sea. These policies include recycling initiatives, waste treatment, and a variety of other programs that are ingrained into the cruise standard practices.
- Seabourn’s green policies include using advanced waste water treatment systems, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, recycling, and donating items for reuse. The cruise line has increased fuel efficiency of its fleet year over year by investing in newer, more modern ships, which also include low-flow toilets, sinks and showers in all passenger cabins.
- Dedicated Officers: To keep environmental impact consistently top of mind and high priority, many CLIA Members have established a dedicated, responsible person to oversee the environmental program. Onboard environmental officers oversee daily eco-friendly programs and ensure each ship follows their line’s Earth-friendly practices.
- All Disney Cruise Line ships have dedicated Environmental Officers who are ranked among the most senior leaders on board. Environmental Officers possess previous maritime experience and specialized training in environmental regulations and systems.
- Sustainable Practices: Many cruise lines create strong partnerships, both onboard and on shore, with eco-friendly vendors and destinations to minimize guests' carbon footprint.
- Uniworld is committed to supporting environmentally conscious businesses from family-run enterprises to organic wineries in a variety of destinations. The line aims to connect guests with local and sustainable ventures around the world while bringing environmentally-friendly economic opportunity to a variety of regions.
- Smart Ships: Some cruise lines enhance their savings of energy, water, and fuel through a variety of different smart technologies and tech measures.
- When Windstar Cruises’ three sailing yachts—powered by both sails and engines—are able, they power themselves with wind in their sails, allowing the vessels to reduce fuel usage.
- Waste Minimization & Creative Composting: Cruise lines minimize potential waste that comes on board by partnering with suppliers to reduce packaging and some employ onboard composting practices in order to reduce food waste.
- In May 2015, Costa Cruises became the first travel company to sign the Milan Protocol to reduce food waste, help eliminate hunger and under-nutrition, and raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The Milan Protocol is implemented fleet wide.
- Solar Sailing: To reduce energy waste and keep cruising eco-friendly, some cruise lines use renewable battery power and solar energy to power some ship’s equipment.
- Onboard their Zambezi Queen ship in Africa, AmaWaterways uses fuel-efficient, low-emission generators during daylight hours, and operates on battery power at night.
- Cruise for the Earth: For travelers passionate about the environment, many cruise lines offer entire “green” voluntourism itineraries. This includes participation in conservation projects onboard and on shore.
- Paul Gauguin Cruises’ new partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) provides two interactive, educational programs to enrich guests’ experience onboard.
- Wildlife Conservation: There are cruise lines that also take proactive measures to reduce damage to not only environment but also wildlife.
- Holland America Line's "Avoiding Whale Strikes" program is a computer-based training program designed to avoid whale strikes in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Parks Service.
- Proper Disposal: In order to keep oceans and rivers clean, cruise lines urge proper disposal of wastes with both crew and passengers.
- As part of its “Crystal Clean” environmentally friendly initiatives, Crystal Cruises has a communications campaign to foster onboard environmental education and responsibility.
- Smarter Sewage: In sewage and water waste disposal, many lines have instituted cutting edge technologies created to minimize waste and lessen the environmental impact of cruise travel.
- To compliment a variety of onboard recycling systems in place on ships, Avalon Waterways has installed a specialized onboard sewage treatment system that utilizes a multi-step procedure.
Visit www.cruising.org
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