TL/DR –
Royal Caribbean just got hit with a $470k fine for playing fast and loose with their waste paperwork—apparently, “documentation errors” is cruise industry code for dumping more trash than reported. The EPA caught them offloading serious waste at Galveston, but RC insists they’re still the sustainability queens they claim to be. Let’s hope they stick to their word this time because calling it a “long-standing commitment” with a track record like theirs is way too shady to set sail.
Royal Caribbean, a cruise industry giant, must pay over $470,000 for missing EPA notifications on breaking environmental rules. The company insists these were mere documentation slip-ups.
EPA inspections revealed improper waste unloading from eight cruise ships at Galveston port from 2017 to 2024, violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The company inaccurately reported waste amounts and descriptions.
Royal Caribbean claims these were documentation errors without environmental harm. But documents indicate at least one ship offloaded over “1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste” monthly, underreporting to the EPA.
The company, stressing a commitment to sustainability, has paid the fine. They vow to exceed legal standards in waste management practices.
“Waste management is crucial for environmental protection,” said EPA regional administrator Earthea Nance, highlighting potential long-term challenges from improper practices.
Royal Caribbean must now maintain accurate records of waste offloads from ships, implementing improved waste handling over the next 180 days to prevent future compliance issues.
Back in 1999, the company faced significant fines for waste dumping and misleading the U.S. Coast Guard, noted by the Department of Justice.
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Original Story at www.houstonpublicmedia.org
