The cruise industry is working hard to reduce waste and carbon emissions and become more eco-friendly. From solar panels to powering private islands with waste materials cruise companies have been making great strides in becoming greener.
Royal Caribbean
- ISO14001 & ISO9001 certifications for their onboard environmental management plans.
- Biodegradable water bottles used as opposed to plastic.
- US$100 million invested to convert waste water treatment systems to an advanced purification systems.
- 18 million gallons of biodiesel used each year.
- Explorer of the Seas hosts labs for both the University of Miami’s Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Celebrity Cruises
- Solar powered LED lights and lifts onboard Solstice class ships.
- Heat transfer windows that allow more light and reduce cooling needs in cabins.
Disney Cruise Line
- Recycled water from the air conditioning used in the laundry, saving gallons of water per day.
- Excess heat is used to power evaporators which turn gallons of seawater into potable water each day.
- Used cooking oil stored and recycled as fuel for machinery on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.
- Widely recycle materials onboard and recycle non-traditional materials through partnership with Keep America Beautiful.
- Guests and crew can take part in a variety of environmental and education programs.
Holland America Line
- ISO14001 certified for their onboard environmental management plan.
- Bilge water treated twice before being discharged.
- Silicone paint added to ships’ hull to reduce drag.
- Plug-in at port power to reduce emission while ashore.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
- Eco-ballast system ensures water leaving the ship doesn’t send out toxins or invasive species.
- Donate cooking oil to farmers in port cities to be used as fuel.
Source: http://www.iglucruise.com/blog/2012/12/20/how-green-is-cruising
