Module 17 - Marine Environment
Garbage Disposal
What you will learn
Use the MARPOL Annex V hierarchy to distinguish prohibited garbage from narrow food-waste exceptions, then operate a simpler all-waste-ashore routine.
MARPOL Annex V starts from prohibition. A limited food-waste exception depends on processing, distance, being en route and the applicable sea area; it is not a general licence for biodegradable waste.
The IMO's simplified Annex V overview says 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 outside and within special areas. When garbage is mixed with another harmful material, the more stringent requirement applies.
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. Within special areas and Arctic waters, qualifying ground food waste needs more than 12 nautical miles and the unground-food exception is not available. Additional local requirements can still apply.
A cruising yacht rarely gains enough value from those exceptions to justify classifying waste, checking area status, confirming processing and measuring distance at the moment of disposal. Secure all rubbish aboard, prevent loose items escaping when the yacht heels or a hatch opens, and use a suitable shore reception facility. Vessels over 12 metres length overall also need the applicable garbage placard described in MCA guidance.
| Material | Annex V position | Coastal-yacht routine |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic and ordinary refuse | Discharge prohibited | Secure aboard and dispose ashore |
| Ground food passing a 25mm screen | Outside special areas: >3nm, en route and as far as practicable | Bring ashore unless the exact exception is established and necessary |
| Unground food waste | Outside special areas: >12nm, en route and as far as practicable | Bring ashore |
| Ground food in a special area | >12nm, en route and as far as practicable; further conditions can apply | Confirm area status or retain aboard |
| Mixed or contaminated waste | Apply the more stringent requirement | Keep contained and obtain the correct shore disposal route |
Make the rubbish plan survive a rough watch
The crew are preparing food while the yacht is in a special area and loose packaging could blow overboard from the cockpit.
1. Contain
Use a lidded or secured container before opening wrappers or cutting line.
2. Separate
Keep recyclables, ordinary refuse and material needing special disposal identifiable.
3. Secure
Stow containers for heel, waves and wind rather than relying on an open lightweight bag.
4. Land
Retain the waste and use labelled reception facilities instead of debating an exception underway.
Sense check: Nothing should be able to leave the yacht accidentally when a hatch opens, the vessel heels or the wind increases.
Common mistake or limitation
- Biodegradable is not an Annex V disposal category; only the exact food-waste conditions create the limited exceptions described.
- Three miles is not the rule for every food item: processing, area, en-route status, distance and local requirements all matter.
- Putting prohibited waste in a biodegradable bag does not change the contents or create permission to discharge it.
Recap
- Annex V prohibits garbage discharge except for specific conditional cases.
- Ground food outside special areas uses the >3nm condition; unground food normally uses >12nm, and special areas are tighter.
- Retaining all yacht waste for shore disposal removes most classification and distance errors.
Optional quick check
Section 4 of 8
Which item may use the >3nm Annex V exception outside special areas when every other condition is met?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 20 August 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
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