03 December 2009

Costa uses less, saves more to help environment

SINGAPORE - Costa Cruises has released the results from its latest Sustainability Report in which the cruise company says it recorded substantial growth accompanied by increased commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Costa Crociere Group chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi said in the context of rising oil prices and the onset of the financial crisis and economic downturn, Ã¢â¬Åâœwe have invested in resources and process optimisation in order to maintain the high level of sustainability of our business.Ã¢â¬~

Highlights of the report:

- a five percent reduction in fuel consumption per mile travelled (at about 339 kg compared to about 356 kg in 2007), with an equivalent reduction in the amount of CO2 produced.

This was achieved by implementation of various energy-saving measures on board, including the use of ecological silicone-based coatings for the shipÃ¢â¬â¢s hull.

- a five percent reduction in consumption of potable water per person on board the ships (mainly produced from seawater using desalination plants), down from 240 litres in 2007 to 228 litres in 2008;

- an increase in the proportion of special waste recycled, up from 26 percent in 2007 to 30 percent in 2008, amounting to 273,458 kg.

The special waste (e.g. cooking oil, used batteries, neon lamps, photo developing fluid, etc.) generated on board CostaÃ¢â¬â¢s ships is handled using procedures and technologies allowing adequate collection, storage and subsequent disposal ashore.

In 2008 some 30 percent of this type of waste from Costa ships, including 163,133 kg of cooking oil, was recycled to produce energy or new material;

- an 8.5 percent reduction in the quantity of garbage (type of urban solid waste: paper, plastic, glass, metal) produced per day per person, down from 8.2 litres in 2007 to 7.56 litres last year. This included 1,675 mÃ~³ of glass and 451 mÃ~³ of aluminum sent for recycling.

- The garbage recycling programme was extended to the ports of Civitavecchia (Italy), Tianjin (China) and St. Lucia (Caribbean).