Under MARPOL Annex V, how must plastics be disposed of at sea?

• A. Discharge of plastics at sea is prohibited; plastics must be landed to shore reception facilities.
• B. Plastics may be discharged at sea if they are small in quantity.
• C. Plastics may be incinerated at sea in an onboard incinerator and then released.
• D. Plastics can be treated in washing water and discharged with other ship wastes.

Answer: (A)

Plastics must not be discharged at sea under MARPOL Annex V. The rule requires that plastics be kept on board and delivered to shore reception facilities for disposal or recycling. This protects the marine environment from persistent plastic debris. On-board incineration and then releasing the gases or ashes, discharging plastics with washing water, or allowing small quantities to be dumped at sea are not permitted, because the objective is to prevent any plastic from entering the sea. Ships must follow a garbage management plan and ensure plastics are landed ashore whenever a port has reception facilities.