Regulations on Discharge of Garbage

Regulation 3 - General Prohibition on the discharge of Garbage into the Sea

1. Discharge of all garbage into the sea is prohibited, except as provided otherwise in regulations 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Annex.
2. Except as provided in Regulation 7 of this Annex, discharge into the sea of all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products is prohibited. 
3. Except as provided in Regulation 7 of this Annex, the discharge into the sea of cooking oil is prohibited.

Regulation 4 - Discharge of Garbage outside Special areas

1. Discharge of the following garbage into the sea outside special areas shall only be permitted while the ship is en route and as far as practicable from the nearest land, but in any case not less than:
1. 3 nautical miles from the nearest land for food wastes that have been passed through a comminutor or grinder. Such comminuted or ground food wastes shall be capable of passing through a screen with openings no greater than 25 mm.
2. 12 nautical miles from the nearest land for food waste that has not been treated in accordance with paragraph 1.1 of Regulation 4 of this Annex.
3. 12 nautical miles from the nearest land for cargo residues that cannot be recovered using commonly available methods for unloading. These cargo residues shall not contain any substances classified as harmful to the marine environment, in accordance with the criteria set out in appendix 1 of this Annex.
4. For animal carcasses, the discharge shall occur as far from the nearest land as possible, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.  
2. Cleaning agents or additives contained in the cargo hold, deck and external surfaces wash water may be discharged into the sea, but these substances must not be harmful to the marine environment, taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization.
3. Solid Bulk Cargos other than grain, shall be classified in accordance with appendix 1 of this Annex and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are not harmful to the marine environment.
4. When the garbage is mixed with or contaminated by other substances prohibited from discharge or having different discharge requirements, the more stringent requirements shall apply. 

Regulation 5 - Special Requirements for discharge of Garbage from fixed or floating platforms

1. In general, the discharge into the sea of any garbage is prohibited from fixed or floating platforms and from all other ships when alongside or within 500 m of such platforms.
2. Food wastes may be discharged into the sea from fixed or floating platforms located more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land and from all other ships when alongside or within 500 m of such platforms, but only when the wastes have been passed through a comminutor or grinder. Such comminuted or ground food wastes shall be capable of passing through a screen with openings no greater than 25 mm.  

  

Regulation 6 - Discharge of Garbage within Special areas

1. Discharge of the following garbage into the sea within special areas shall only be permitted while the ship is en route and as follows:
1. Discharge into the sea of food waste as far as practicable from the nearest land, but not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land or the nearest ice self. Food waste shall be comminuted or ground food wastes shall be capable of passing through a screen with openings no greater than 25 mm. Food waste shall not be contaminated by any other garbage type. Discharge of introduced avian products, including poultry parts, is not permitted in the Antarctic area unless it has been treated to be made sterile.
2. Discharge of cargo residues that can not be recovered using commonly available methods for unloading, where all the following conditions are satisfied:   
1. Cargo residues contained in hold washing water do not include any substances classified as harmful to the marine environment according to the criteria set out in appendix 1 of this Annex.
2. Solid Bulk Cargos other than grain, shall be classified in accordance with appendix 1 of this Annex and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are not harmful to the marine environment.
3. Cleaning agents or additives contained in hold washing water do not include any substances classified as harmful to the marine environment taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization.
4. Both the port of departure and the next port of designation is within the special area and the ship will not transit outside the special area between those ports.
5. No adequate reception facilities are available at those ports taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization. 
6. After considering the above conditions, discharge of cargo hold washing water containing residues shall be made as far as practicable from the nearest land or the nearest ice self and not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land or nearest ice self. 
2. Cleaning agents or additives contained in the deck and external surfaces wash water may be discharged into the sea, but only if these substances are not harmful to the marine environment, taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization.
3. The following rules apply with respect to the Antarctic Area:
1. Each party at whose ports ships depart en route to or arrive from the Antarctic area undertakes to ensure that as soon as applicable adequate facilities are provided for the reception of all garbage from all ships, without causing undue delay and according to the needs of the ships using them. 
2. Each party shall ensure that all ships entitled to fly their flag, before entering the Antarctic area, have sufficient capacity onboard for the retention of all garbage while operating in the area and have concluded arrangements to discharge such garbage at a reception facility after leaving the area. 
4. When the garbage is mixed with or contaminated by other substances prohibited from discharge or having different discharge requirements, the more stringent requirements shall apply. 

Regulation 7 - Exceptions

1. Regulation 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Annex shall not apply to:
1. The discharge of garbage from a ship is necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship and those on board or saving life at sea.
2. The accidental loss of garbage resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment provided that all reasonable precautions have been taken before and after the occurrence of the damage, to prevent or minimize the accidental loss.
3. The accidental loss of fishing gear from a ship provided that all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent such loss.
4. The discharge of fishing gear from a ship for the protection of the marine environment or for the safety of that ship or its crew.
2. Exception of en-route:
1. The en-route requirements of Regulation 4 and 6 of this Annex shall not apply to the discharge of food wastes where it is clear the retention on board of these food wastes presents an imminent health risk to the people on board.   

Appendix 1 - Criteria for the classification of Solid Bulk Cargoes as Harmful to the Marine Environment

• For the purpose of this Annex, cargo residues are considered to be harmful to the marine environment (HME).
• If they are residues of solid bulk cargoes which are classified according to the criteria of the United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) meeting the following parameters:

1. Acute Aquatic Toxicity Category 1 
2. Chronic Aquatic Toxicity Category 1 or 2
3. Carcinogenicity Category 1A or 1B combined with not being rapidly degradable and having high bioaccumulation.
4. Mutagenicity Category 1A or 1B combined with not being rapidly degradable and having high bioaccumulation.
5. Reproductive Toxicity Category 1A or 1B combined with not being rapidly degradable and having high bioaccumulation.
6. Specific Target Organ Toxicity Repeated Exposure Category 1 combined with not being rapidly degradable and having high bioaccumulation.
7. Solid Bulk Cargoes containing or consisting of synthetic polymers, rubber, plastics, or plastic feedstock pellets (this includes materials that are shredded, milled, chopped or macerated or similar materials).

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Reference: IMO Publications & Documents - International Conventions - MARPOL - Annex V