MONACO — Silversea Cruises has become the first tour operator to gain certification in environmental management in the Galapagos Islands.
According to the ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, it is the first operator to divert all waste from landfill disposal in the Galapagos. Silversea classifies and sorts all waste generated aboard Silver Origin, before transporting all but organic waste out of the Galapagos Islands to the mainland to be recycled or processed in line with regulatory procedures. The cruise line receives a traceability document that verifies the responsible movement and disposal of all waste.
Silversea collaborates with a local waste management company to offload all waste generated on board Silver Origin in San Cristobal each week. Quantities of cardboard, cartons, plastic, and crushed glass are flown to the mainland for recycling. The remaining refuse is transported to Guayaquil on Ecuador’s mainland by marine transportation. Once in Guayaquil, the refuse is collected and recycled or processed, in line with environmental legislation and the best sustainability practices. Moreover, the waste management company uses refuse oil to fuel its incinerator. Everything is traceable.
“We are very proud to become the first tour operator to gain this certification in environmental management – a representation of our long-term commitment to sustainability and conservation in the Galapagos Islands,” said Gabriela Naranjo, Vice President and General Manager, Silversea Cruises Ecuador.
“We started this initiative in 2020, entering into a partnership with an airline to transport recyclable waste out of the archipelago to the mainland. We are delighted to have taken the next step on our sustainability journey, diverting all waste from landfill in the Galapagos to dispose of it responsibly – with full traceability. This initiative is just one of the many examples of how Silversea is working to safeguard the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos for future generations,” she added.
THE SILVERSEA FUND FOR THE GALAPAGOS
Silversea launched the Silversea Fund for the Galapagos in 2019 to support a diverse selection of education and conservation projects each year. The fund strengthens the balance between humans and nature in the archipelago, as part of a long-term sustainability strategy. In addition to benefitting regional conservation efforts, the fund’s donors enjoy savings on Silversea’s voyages, as the cruise line matches guests’ contributions in the form of a Future Cruise Credit.
LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE
Silversea’s commitment to sustainability in the Galapagos extends to its culinary offering on board Silver Origin. Efforts are made to buy local produce in the archipelago, when available. Silversea has increased its sourcing of local ingredients in the Galapagos fivefold in recent years, working closely with independent farmers and suppliers on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal to nurture long-term solutions, strengthen the local economy, and support ongoing conservation efforts. Most proteins and approximately 40% of dairy products are sourced locally, as well as tomatoes, oranges, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, green beans, watermelons, rocket, and more. The consumption of local products also reduces the importation of products from the Ecuadorian mainland, thus reducing the risk of invasive species entering the islands.
To view Silversea’s voyages in the Galapagos, click here
