Environmental Policies and Cruise Lines

Cruise ships have been described as floating resorts or floating cities. Like any resort or city, there is the question of how to treat and dispose waste. Wastes discharged from ships are sewage, grey water (i.e. laundries, showers and kitchen), solid waste (food and garbage) and waste from oil and grease. Diesel exhaust is also dispelled into the air. With cruise lines building bigger ships that will soon carry over 6,000 people, how do they get rid of all that waste?

Wastes from ships are exempted from the laws that govern municipalities regarding their disposal. Cities have to comply with the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act regarding their waste. Ships therefore dispose of their wastes in the sea.

The government entity, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for these issues. In March 2000, EPA received a petition from Blue Water Network on behalf of 53 organizations, addressing their concerns on waste dumping into the sea, and requested EPA to assess and where necessary control cruise ship discharge. Also in 2000 the EPA received a resolution from the Central Council of The Tlingit-Haida Tribes of Alaska requesting federal action to control ship cruise discharges. The EPA issued a full response to Blue Water Network’s petition in January, 2008.

However, the drive to make our seas and air clean should be an international effort. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), “It is generally considered that on the high seas, the oceans are capable of assimilating and dealing with raw sewage through natural bacterial action.” Therefore, ships can discharge untreated sewage into the sea 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. Treated sewage can be discharged 3 miles from the nearest land. A new law that will come into effect in January 2010 requires a sewage treatment plan onboard.

The EPA, US Coastal Guard, environmental organizations and IMO are all working to solve the dilemma of disposing wastes from ships. What are the cruise lines doing to improve this nightmare and what can you do to help?

According to Planet Green, cruise lines making progress toward a safer environment are Holland America, Costa Cruises and the Royal Caribbean. Also, according to Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), “ships are installing environmental equipment onboard their vessels including grinders for food and product waste, separators for gallery products and recycling; crushers for glass, and aluminum materials; incinerators for food, cardboard, paper and other waste by-products; and sophisticated engine room equipment to reduce or eliminate liquid discharge.” Until 2003, cruise lines never received the Kuoni Travel Group Green Planet Award. (An award given to hotels and cruise ships whose operations are particularly progressive in social and environmental terms). In 2003 5 vessels received the ward and in 2006, 24 Green Planet Awards were given to cruise ships.

How can you help when on your cruise vacation? The EPA listed these actions on their website:

• Review the ship company’s environmental policies before booking a cruise.
• Do not pour inappropriate wastes into the sinks or toilets.
• Do not toss litter overboard Minimize your use of water.
• Participate in the cruise recycling program (if available).
• Conserve energy by reducing unnecessary use of lights and appliances.

What other things can travelers do to eliminate waste at sea? Do you think the EPA and the cruise lines are doing enough to save our environment? Join our forum to share your views and ideas.