Waste Management Plan


If your boat is 26’ or longer you’ll most likely need at least two of these and If your boat is 40’ or longer, you may be required to have all three. Affix these decals in a prominent location for the benefit of all aboard. Don’t get cited for failure to display these pollution prevention placards.
Purchase Decals


Boats 40 ft and longer must have a written waste management plan, stating how you deal with the collected waste onboard, who handles it, and where it is disposed. This can be as short as one paragraph. We recommend that you keep your plan in your onboard ships papers. Below are two sample forms for a Waste Management Plan.

Sample Plans:

Sample 1:

Waste Management Plans for Vessels 40’ and Longer:


Waste Management Plan for (Vessel Name):

Person in Charge:

Solid Waste Management Procedures:

If the vessel is within 12 miles of shore or returning to shore:

All refuse materials are put in garbage bags and stored on board until they can be disposed of in dumpsters on shore.

If the vessel is outside of 12 miles from shore and not returning to shore:

All the garbage with the exception of food materials and paper is put in a garbage bag to be hauled to the dockside trash receptacle at trip’s end. Food material and paper generated in the galley are collected in a bucket (or in a paper bag or cardboard box) and the bucket emptied over the side (or the food filled bag or box is thrown overboard) by a crew member.

Crew Education:

At the beginning of each season all crew members are reminded of the refuse discharge laws and shown the MARPOL V placard posted in the galley. The crew is told that it is a vessel policy to stow all garbage materials on board except for food and paper when the vessel is outside of 12 miles. The captain orients all new crew and passengers to the rules governing the vessel including refuse laws and refuse handling.

Captain's Signature:

Sample 2:

Waste Management Plans for Vessels 40’ and Longer:


Waste Management Plan for (Vessel Name):

Solid Waste Management Procedures:

All vessel refuse is put in garbage bags which are stored on board until they can be disposed of in dumpsters on shore.

Person in Charge:

Crew Education:

  • All crew members have been oriented to the requirements of MARPOL Annex V by the captain and all new crew are specifically shown the MARPOL V placard and told to keep all refuse stowed on board.
  • Passenger orientation to the vessel includes being shown the location of the trash receptacles and mention of refuse discharge regulations.

Captain's Signature: