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	Garbage
	New Zealand is party to Annex V of MARPOL 73/78: Regulations for Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, and disposal of garbage from ships is regulated according to that Annex by the Maritime Transport Act and the Marine Pollution Regulations. 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. Outside 3 miles garbage, other than the prohibited items listed above, may be disposed of at sea. All such garbage must be comminuted so as to pass through a 2.5 mm sieve. However, food of overseas origin may not be discharged anywhere within 12 miles of land as it is subject to quarantine provisions. Operators are encouraged to make use of the solid waste reception facilities available at every New Zealand port for disposal of all garbage. Details of these facilities are available here.

Recycling facilities exist throughout New Zealand. Providing that recyclable waste, including plastics, glass, metals and paper, is separated from contaminated materials it will be accepted for recycling.

Waste of overseas origin is subject to quarantine restrictions, and garbage kept on-board must be tightly covered and in water-tight containers while the ship is in port.

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