Lesson 15: The

Central Role of
Human Person in
Addressing
Environmental
WASTEProblems
AND POLLUTION
 Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

❖ Evaluate the central role of human person in addressing environmental

problems such as on Waste pollution, Climate Change, Gender issues,
Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Maritime sector, and
Globalization;
❖ Discover the impact of Climate change, Waste pollution, and
Globalization in the maritime sector;
❖ Internalize the implications of drugs and alcohol abuse in the maritime
sector, as well as to your social life; and
❖ Enable you to create/propose solutions to these problems
 Waste and Pollution

Pollution is defined as anything that makes an

environment harmful or unpleasant for living
organisms.

Waste defined as hazardous or as non-hazardous

-is created by all life forms
 Hazardous wastes

Hazardous and toxic chemicals are generated by

industry, agriculture, homes and the environment.
There are three major classes of hazardous waste:
biological, chemical and radioactive.
 Biological waste
Biological waste is composed of
organic molecules – this can ● Non-infectious, non-
include anything from kitchen hazardous biological
scraps to animal and human waste can be disposed of
wastes using standard methods of
rubbish disposal
- This type of waste may be
infectious or otherwise
hazardous to the health of
humans and other organisms.

Chemical wastes
They are usually man-made
chemicals but they also include
naturally occurring metals like
mercury and lead that are highly
toxic and mined for use in paints
and other compounds
-greenhouse gases like carbon
dioxide and methane are chemical
wastes.
-batteries, construction debris, natural
gas, fossil fuel combustion, industry
waste, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers,
medical facilities, crude and used oil
Chemical waste is regulated by the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) through the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA). It cannot be disposed of in
regular trash or in the sewer
system. Most chemical wastes
must be disposed of through the
EHS Hazardous Waste Program.
Radioactive (or nuclear)
waste

Land, water and air can be

is the by-product from nuclear affected by radioactive
reactors, fuel processing plants, contamination.
and institutions such as
hospitals and research facilities
 Non-hazardous wastes

Non-hazardous wastes are generally disposed of

through municipal landfills, recycling facilities,
incinerators, construction landfills and compost
facilities.
 Waste and
Pollution in the
Maritime
Sector
● Pollution of the world’s oceans is globally recognized as one of
our highest environmental concerns.

● The oceans are regarded as the transportation highways for

shipping, tourism and commerce, and with this abundance of
ships, there is a significant amount of ship generated waste that
needs disposal.

● ship-generated waste presents a significant threat to regions’

marine ecosystems
Given the scope and intensity of shipping in the
Greater Caribbean, as well as the sensitive nature the
Caribbean Sea itself

In light of this sensitivity and given that the region

serves as a major hub for the global shipping industry,
the capacity of ports or states to handle and dispose of
ship generated waste itself is a complex issue.
 International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships-MARPOL Convention
-principal international treaty governing ship
generated waste.

-The Convention, written in 1973 and modified in

1978 focuses on the regulation of ship generated
waste.
Annex I- Regulations
What does forMARPOL
the prevention of pollution by
cover?
Oil.
Annex II- Regulations for the control of pollution by
Noxious Liquid substances in Bulk.
Annex III- Prevention of pollution by Harmful
substances Carried in packaged form.
Annex IV- Prevention of pollution by Sewage from
ships.
Annex V- Prevention of pollution by garbage from
Due to its heavy maritime traffic, sensitive and fragile
marine ecosystem, and the nature of the currents through
the region, the Caribbean Sea was designated a Special
Area with restrictions under MARPOL Annex V in 2011.

-vessels operating are prohibited from discharging any

garbage, with the exception of food waste
-puts additional strain on the region’s port waste collection
infrastructure
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Global Integrated
Shipping Information System further reveals a great need for the
availability of data regarding port reception facilities (discharge
restrictions, charges, availability of facilities, etc.)

Port State Control inspectors in the territories are responsible for

determining if vessels are adhering to international agreements, and
have committed to inspecting a minimum of 15% of international
ships calling at their ports, but given the vastness of the Caribbean
Sea, and the lack of capacity of some member states, there is a
significant probability that illegal dumping may go undetected.
 Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution
1. All marine operators to put in place waste and garbage
management system with proper stowage and segregation
procedures for various categories of waste materials such
as plastics, batteries, food wastes, dunnage, metallic
wastes, chemicals, etc.

Companies should imply strict adherence to the MARPOL

regulations and maintain zero dumping policy onboard
their fleet.
 Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution
2. Wastes such as plastic, metals, glass, batteries,
medical wastes, oily rags, sludge, waste oils, etc.
those which cannot be disposed off at sea should be
incinerated or given away to shore reception
facilities.
 Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution

3. Compactors should be used effectively to reduce

the volumes of mainly plastics and other waste
material which can be compressed.
 Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution

4. Food waste can be comminuted and discharged

at sea. Also to ensure vessels are complying with
the 2013 MARPOL amendments to Annex V.
Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution

5. Newer techniques which separate glass

from mercury and metal should be allowed
onboard.
 Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution
6. As far as possible, reduce the production of oily
waste and sludge. Usage of clean and treated fuel
will not only generate lesser sludge but also will
be environmental friendly. In order to improve the
performance of the OWS, it is a better idea to
install emulsion breaking filters on the separators.
 Tips for Reducing Waste on Ships to Reduce
Marine Pollution
7. The marine operator’s Environmental
Management System (EMS) should be maintained
onboard which in turn would raise the waste
management standards and also reciprocate to the
zero discharge policy for solid wastes that can be
incinerated onboard and ashore.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

1. Ship Owners and marine operators to effectively

prepare, constitute and implement a Waste
Recycling and Management Plan for recycling
techniques and procedures that could be carried
out at sea.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

2. Paper could be reused in many ways for day to

day operations. Dunnage such as cardboard can be
used for additional coverings. Common recycle
bins for reusable items could be a good bet.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

3. Compactors should be used for crushing

voluminous materials such as plastics, paper,
metal cans, etc. Such materials should be put in
recycling bins or containers.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

4. Items such as computers, television set, music

boxes, etc. that are no longer required or useable
onboard should be given away to local shore
organizations.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

5. Old grease, waste oil, and similar other oil

based products could be used as alternative
lubricants or be used up for cleaning rough stains
/marks.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

6. Plastic garbage bags should be replaced with

marine ‘bio degradable’ refuse bags for
disposing-off food waste. Such bags could also
be used up for storage and / or compression of
garbage accumulated onboard. Plastic has been
termed as one of the main sources of marine
pollution
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships
7. It is also imperative to understand the effects
associated by air emissions which are caused due
to colossal amounts of energy usage. Replacing
the conventional halogen and the incandescent
light bulb with the new age LED bulbs or similar
fluorescent lights which consume lesser energy
should be given due consideration onboard
marine vessels and installations.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

8. Recycling of glass bulbs can be done with the

help of lamp crushers which segregate mercury,
metal caps while allowing for the crushing of
glass.
 Tip for Recycling Waste on Ships

9. Batteries are again an environmental hazard

and should be disposed off ashore to approved
shore reception facilities. Batteries could also be
recycled onboard using special units / devices
leading to separation of Lithium, Lead and
Cadmium
-the fleet Tip for Recycling
managers Waste
should engage in on Ships
having interactive
sessions with the crew members for reducing marine
pollution, motivating them to protect the environment
through proper stowage, segregation and handling of waste
generated at sea.

-With the adoption and implementation of such waste

reduction and recycling management programs ship owners,
marine managers and the personnel at sea would be able to
display immaculate levels of concern for the marine
THANK
YOU !