Onboard Garbage Management

It is estimated that more than 8 million litter items end up in the marine environment every day Source: UNEP, 2004

Where does all this litter come from? 20% from sea-based activities Merchant vessels of all types Cruise ships Pleasure craft Fishing vessels Offshore installations 80%from land-based activities Litter reaches the sea from inland communities via runoff, rivers and the wind Poorly managed municipal and industrial waste Irresponsible conduct of beachgoers and other coastal users Source: UNEP, 1995

Plastic pollution – the great unknown The increasing accumulation of plastics in the oceans, also referred to as garbage patches, is causing global concern. Plastic litter does not biodegrade, rather it breaks into small pellets and enters the food chain leaching chemical substances.

Environmental impacts Marine litter poses a lethal threat to marine wildlife, which is injured or killed either by entanglement or through the consumption of plastic and other dangerous waste items. It is estimated that globally 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die each year due to marine litter.

Socio-economic impact Visual pollution: Marine litter deters tourists. Cleanup costs: The removal of litter from beaches costs more than investing in the awareness raising of beach users towards a more responsible environmental conduct.. Damage to boats: Driftnets, fishing line and ropes may tangle around the propeller causing serious damage to boats. Threat to human health: Danger of injury or infection from broken glass, rusty nails, medicinal and sanitary waste.

Top 10 marine litter items worldwide Source: Ocean Conservancy, 2011

MARPOL Annex V – Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships In force since December 1988 – Sets out the management framework for all types of solid waste (food, domestic and operational) on board the vessel. Establishes vulnerable sea regions as Special Areas, where stricter requirements are applied. Specifies exception when disposal over board is necessary for safety reasons. Requires for all vessels above 400 GT: - the operation of a Garbage Management Plan to include written procedures for collecting , storing, processing and disposing of garbage, including the use of equipment on board. Should designate responsible person for carrying out the plan and should be in working language of the crew. - the keeping of a Garbage Record Book with details on all disposal and incineration operations. To be maintained onboard for 2 years following last entry. Requires Governments to provide adequate port reception facilities for delivery of ship’s waste.

Recyclables

MARPOL Annex V review Enters into force on 1st January 2013. Introduces a general ban on the disposal of all garbage into the sea, including used cooking oil. Garbage Management Plan for all vessels above 100 GT Disposal of food waste allowed only en route in the following cases: - 3 n.m. from the nearest land if grinded (12n.m. in Special Areas), - 12 n.m. from the nearest land when not grinded, Disposal of deck washings allowed only en route when these don’t contain dangerous for the environment chemical substances. Disposal of cargo residues allowed only en route at 12 n.m. or more from the nearest land under specific circumstances.

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