To prevent pollution of the sea from garbage, New Zealand has strict regulations in place that all vessel operators need to follow.
New Zealand is party to Annex V of MARPOL 73/78, the International Convention on Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Annex V is given effect through the Maritime Transport Act and the Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations. These regulations provide for the prevention of garbage pollution from ships, and the disposal of garbage from ships.
Under the regulations listed above, no plastic waste or waste that is identified as a marine pollutant is to be disposed of at sea at any time. The disposal at sea of dunnage, lining, or packaging materials that may float is also prohibited within 25 miles of land.
Food of overseas origin may not be discharged anywhere within 12 miles of land as it is subject to quarantine provisions. Any garbage of overseas origin kept on-board must be held in tightly covered water-tight containers while the ship is in port, also due to quarantine restrictions.
Permitted garbage disposal
Beyond three miles, garbage (other than the prohibited items listed above) may be disposed of at sea. All such garbage must be comminuted (broken down) so that it can pass through a 2.5 millimetre sieve. Food of overseas origin may not however be discharged anywhere within 12 miles of land as it is subject to quarantine provisions.
Vessel operators are encouraged to dispose of all garbage at the solid waste reception facilities available at every New Zealand port.
New Zealand port waste reception facilities
Recycling facilities exist throughout New Zealand. As long as the following recyclable waste is separated from contaminated materials it is accepted for recycling:
