Cruise Ships Produce 168,000 Gallons of Sewage Daily

May 18, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Pollution from cruise ships is a growing problem, according to environmental group Oceana. They produce a large amount of pollution every day from sewage, garbage and solid waste, toxic chemicals and oily bilge water.

According to Oceana, the average cruise ship produces the following pollution daily:

25,000 gallons of sewage from toilets
143,000 gallons of sewage from sinks, galleys and showers
Seven tons of garbage and solid waste
15 gallons of toxic chemicals
7,000 gallons of oily bilge water

Several cruise lines have been making efforts to clean up their acts, reports Seattle International Travel Examiner. The newspaper cites several examples — including Princess Cruises, Holland America, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Line — where cruise lines have implemented environmental measures.

As examples, both Princess Cruises and Holland America have ships that plug into onshore hydroelectric power while in port, which reduces the air pollution produced by idling ships. Holland America has also installed a special seawater-scrubbing emissions system to reduce air pollution, and uses a hybrid power system in its newer ships.

Smaller cruise lines, such as Lindblad Expeditions and Adventure Smith Explorations, have also implemented environmental measures, which include offsetting their carbon footprint, purchasing seafood from sustainable sources, and adopting new sustainable technologies, according to the Seattle International Travel Examiner.

But not all cruise lines are in agreement. Earlier this year, the Alaska cruise industry called for the abolishment of a strict water-pollution rule approved by voters in 2006 because the rule is detrimental to tourism.

To help determine which modes of transportation have the smallest carbon footprint, the Union of Concerned Scientists (USC) has developed a green travel guide, reports Mercury News.

The report, Getting there Greener, compares the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from driving, flying, and traveling by train or bus. The report shows that three key factors determine the environmental impact of your travel — type of vehicle, distance and number of people traveling.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

Somebody should take a closer look at the Photo Department on Carnival ships. The public is not aware that the photographs that they are forced to take and do not buy are dumped on shore as the paper cannot be recycled and that the paper damages their incenerators.

John | October 30th, 2009

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader