Module 17 - Marine Environment
Garbage Disposal
The IMO summary of revised MARPOL Annex V says all garbage discharge is prohibited unless the annex expressly permits it. Plastics, synthetic rope, fishing gear, cooking oil, paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles and similar refuse are prohibited both outside and within special areas. Mixing garbage with another harmful substance applies the more stringent requirement.
Outside special areas and Arctic waters, comminuted or ground food waste that passes through a screen no larger than 25 millimetres may be discharged only when the vessel is en route, as far as practicable from land and more than 3 nautical miles from nearest land. Food waste that is not ground needs more than 12 nautical miles. In special areas and Arctic waters, qualifying ground food waste needs more than 12 nautical miles and the unground-food exception is not available. Additional requirements can apply.
A small yacht rarely gains enough operational value from those exceptions to justify sorting distance, area and processing at the moment of disposal. The reliable routine is to secure all rubbish aboard, separate recyclables and food where useful, prevent loose items escaping in wind and use the next suitable shore reception facility.
- Start from prohibition and prove any narrow exception before relying on it
- Plastics and ordinary refuse stay aboard for shore disposal
- Food-waste conditions change with processing, distance and special-area status
- A secured all-waste-ashore routine is simpler and less error-prone
| Garbage | Outside special areas | Practical small-yacht action |
|---|---|---|
| Plastics and similar refuse | Discharge prohibited | Secure aboard and dispose ashore |
| Ground food passing a 25mm screen | >3nm, en route and as far as practicable | Bring ashore unless the exact exception is understood and needed |
| Unground food waste | >12nm, en route and as far as practicable | Bring ashore |
| Any mixed or contaminated waste | Apply the more stringent requirement | Keep contained and obtain the right shore disposal route |
Watch for this: Carry a lidded container and spare bags, but do not depend on a thin bag alone in an exposed cockpit. A secured container prevents accidental loss as well as deliberate discharge.
Optional quick check
Section 4 of 7
Which item may use the >3nm Annex V exception outside special areas when all other conditions are met?
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