ABOUT THINKING
GREEN
Our environmental policy at
Shearwater River Cruises
We recognize that all commercial travel,
recreation and tourism activities have an impact on the environment.
Shearwater’s Board of Directors is committed to understanding and managing this
impact so that – wherever possible - our environmental performance is
improved.
Therefore, we commit:
- to better understand the
impact our activities have on the environment
- to adopt practices which lead
to improvements in environmental performance where practicable through
energy conservation and by reducing our consumption of raw materials
and reducing waste.
- to encourage suppliers and our
customers to adopt practices which will lead to improved environmental
performance, and
- to ensure that employees are
aware of our environmental policies and are motivated to both apply the policies
and suggest new ones.
ABOUT BECOMING MORE
GREEN
An update of environmental
performance activities in 2011
Carbon Emissions
We will continue an initiative begun in 2008, when we
first calculated our carbon footprint (based on diesel and gasoline fuels
consumed) and contributed a carbon-offset fee of $90.00 (in 2008) and $150.00
(in 2009) toward carbon sequestration research at the Redberry Lake (UNESCO)
Biosphere Reserve.
Engine Replacement
Faced with the need to rebuild or upgrade the main
engines on the Meewasin Queen, in 2009 we opted to purchase and install a new
Tier II-compliant diesel engine. This highly efficient (Volvo D-4) engine uses
the latest technology to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions,
including common-rail fuel injection and electronic vessel
controls.
In addition, all auxiliary power units
(outboards and generators) used to support our operations now use 4-stroke
engines.
Biodiesel Fuel Additives
Shearwater was one of the first boat tour companies in
Canada to experiment with biodiesel fuels, beginning in 2005
when we operated through the season with B20 fuel (20% biodiesel content). Since
then, we have learned three things: (1) not all engines are comfortable with
higher concentrations of bio-fuels; (2) in a hungry world, the conversion of
edible oils to fuel non-essential activities may be counterproductive, if not
immoral, and (3) biodiesel additives, at lower concentrations, provide excellent
lubricity for diesel engines (replacing sulphur) and also enhance the
biodegradation of emissions and accidental spills.
In 2010, Shearwater will supply its diesel
engines with biodiesel additives whenever additives are
needed.
Cleaner engine room bilges
In 2010, Shearwater River Cruises will continue its
practice of deploying oil-absorbent padding (we call them “diapers”!) in the
engine room bilges, and – when cleaning and pumping the engine room bilge –
removing the bilge water for safe disposal rather than discharging into the
river.
Wastewater
Grey water and sewage are not discharged into the river.
They are carefully pumped or tanked from the vessels and disposed of through the
City’s sewage treatment system.
Service materials
Of course, Shearwater recycles all beverage cans and
bottles. However, what we do with – and how we use - cutlery, cups, glasses and
flatware is another matter. In 2008, we went from using china plates and steel
cutlery to plastic plates and cutlery, very aware that – while re-useable
materials were perceived as more environmentally-friendly, there were
considerable environmental (and economic) costs involved with the
transportation, washing and disinfecting of table service materials to meet
public health and safety requirements. We also went away from using styrofoam
cups for hot beverages.
In 2009, recognizing that there is no way to
recycle plastic plates (Canada is away behind the USA on this), we made the
decision to use heavy paper plates which are made from 99% reclaimed fiber to
start with, and are fully biodegradable in a standard landfill
operation.