March 14 is the ‘International Day of Action for Rivers’ and Avalon Waterways is using the occasion to remind the world that “rivers matter.” More importantly, the Globus Family of Brands division has revealed further environmental measures it is planning to help “preserve this precious environment.”

“In the last decade, we have made great strides in ensuring sustainable, responsible river cruising for our guests and the planet,” says Pam Hoffee, managing director of the river cruise line. “Avalon has invested in a state-of-the-art fleet of Suite Ships and top-of-the-line technology to limit energy, consumption and emissions, plus waste reduction and recycling programs to reduce our environmental footprint, save water, and foster a sustainability culture among crew and guests worldwide.”

According to Hoffee, in the last two years, Avalon Waterways has also:

• Eliminated single-use plastics on board ships and at operations offices, worldwide

• Partnered with The Ocean Cleanup, including supporting its efforts to deploy 1,000 interceptors in rivers across the globe that will eliminate the flow of plastics from entering the world’s oceans

• Reduced paper waste by 80% on board by favouring digital communications

• Invested in local farmers to secure locally produced food and beverages, reducing food miles while supporting local economies

• Installed LED lighting throughout ship, fleet-wide

• Committed to using shore power while docked whenever it is available, allowing Avalon to turn engines off and reduce emissions.

And, between 2021 and 2023, the river cruise line plans to:

• Reduce paper waste to less than 1%

• Pilot a program to use bio-fuel, aiming to reduce total carbon emissions by 50%

• Utilize electric bow thrusters to further reduce emissions

• Partner with more destinations to generate sustainable electricity for use while docked

• Invest even more with partners at The Ocean Cleanup to help fulfill their mission of removing 90% of the world’s ocean plastic

The ‘green’ blueprint Avalon Waterways has created for the next two years promises lower emissions, more local food production and sustainable shore excursions, says Hoffee.

And beyond that, she adds that Avalon will unveil the first, fully electric river cruise vessel by 2027.

Through its increased efforts to ensure sustainable, responsible river cruising, Hoffee says, Avalon is “dedicated to protecting the planet with unprecedented, environmentally friendly vacations for guests now and in the future.”