AIDA Cruises has recently completed a significant sustainability initiative by recycling 45,700 square meters of carpeting from the AIDAdiva ship during a drydock period. This vast area of carpeting is equivalent to over six football fields and represents a major step forward in the company’s efforts to reduce waste and environmental impact. This project is part of AIDA’s ongoing AIDA Evolution program, which is dedicated to enhancing the company’s sustainability practices and modernizing its fleet with more eco-friendly technologies. By removing the old carpeting and recycling it, AIDA Cruises has not only reduced waste but also embraced a comprehensive circular economy model for their operations.
Recycling Process and Benefits
The recycling project was initiated in partnership with Oceancircle, a company specializing in sustainable waste management. Marc Spingler, director of hotel maintenance drydocks at AIDA, highlighted the importance of finding an alternative to simply discarding large amounts of material. He stated, “Instead of throwing away the large amount of carpet waste, we have found a way to recycle it and contribute to reducing environmental impact.”
The process itself involves several innovative steps to ensure maximum sustainability. First, the old carpets were shredded on-site at the shipyard. This shredding process helped to reduce the volume of waste by 90%, making transportation and further processing much more efficient. The shredded material was then sent to a briquetting press, where it was compacted into briquettes. These briquettes can be repurposed into new products, such as insulation materials for ships or even as carpet pads for future use. The use of recycled carpets, curtains, and canopies also contributed to the production of this fleece material.
Moreover, the company has announced that the recycled underlays from the AIDAdiva’s old carpets will be used during the AIDAluna’s next maintenance period in fall 2025. This closed-loop recycling system represents a perfect example of how companies in the cruise industry can apply circular economy principles to create long-term sustainability.
Introducing New ECO-Friendly Carpets
In addition to recycling the old carpets, AIDA Cruises has made significant strides in the use of more sustainable materials on its ships. AIDA has introduced a new type of carpet throughout the crew areas and reception spaces, which is made from 100% recyclable and allergy-friendly ECONYL yarn. This yarn is a regenerated nylon made from various types of plastic waste, including discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, and old carpets. The material is produced by the Italian company Radici, which has been a pioneer in the production of sustainable fibers.
The new carpets are part of AIDA’s broader sustainability commitment, which aims to minimize the environmental impact of all operations, from waste reduction to resource conservation. By using ECONYL yarn, AIDA is reducing the demand for new raw materials and helping to tackle ocean pollution caused by plastic waste. The company has also begun exploring other ways to utilize recycled materials in their operations, including the creation of products like door plates, coat hangers, and other ship accessories made from these sustainable materials.
