Domestic waste: all food waste, paper, glass, metal, plastics, rags and other waste generated in the accommodation and domestic living areas (galleys, messes, cabins). It is garbage generated during the normal operation of the ship and includes plastics from packaging, bottles, cans, and waste from the crew's domestic activities.

Operational waste: all solid waste generated during the normal operation of the ship, excluding domestic, such as cargo-associated waste (dunnage, shoring, pallets, packing materials, cargo residues), deck washings, engine room waste (oily rags (which may become special area considerations), filters, paint), and waste generated in the hold or during cargo handling. MARPOL Annex V covers garbage; the discharge of plastics is absolutely prohibited everywhere, and the discharge of other garbage is restricted by distance from shore and by special-area status.

Every ship of 100 GT and above, or certified to carry 15 or more persons, must carry a Garbage Management Plan approved by the Administration (Regulation 4, Annex V). The plan provides written procedures for collecting, storing, processing and disposing of garbage, including the use of the equipment (shredders/compactors), and minimisation. It designates the officers responsible for implementation and identifies the disposal methods ashore and at sea. A Garbage Record Book (Part I for fixed and floating platforms, cargo handling; Part II for all other ships) is mandatory for ships of 400 GT and above and ships certified to carry 15 or more persons engaged in voyages to ports under another Party (Regulation 9/10). Each operation involving garbage (discharge overboard, disposal ashore, incineration, accidental loss) is recorded with date, position, category (A-I plastics under the new Annex V), quantity and signature of the officer in charge. Records must be retained for the period set (at least 2 years) and are inspected by port State control; the Master must confirm waste handed ashore to a reception facility and log the amount.

Outside special areas (i.e. in the normal zones) the following apply:

• Food wastes: may be discharged into the sea provided the ship is more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, and are to be comminuted or ground where the ship is between 3 and 12 miles (a ship may discharge comminuted/generated within 3 miles only if comminuted to pass a 25 mm mesh and > 3 miles on special conditions? No - outside special areas food may be discharged > 12 miles; comminuted food waste between 3 and 12 miles).
• Cargo residues (non-hazardous) not containing harmful substances? Governed by Annex V amendment (1 Jan 2013, revised in 2018) with requirements as to discharge > 12 nautical miles under certain conditions.
• Cleaning agents/washwater containing garbage may be discharged under the same distance rules.
• Plastics and other synthetic materials: discharge is prohibited anywhere at sea. Any discharge of plastic is banned.
• Ashes and other solid garbage: many are required to be retained and discharged ashore or incinerated; the discharge of packing material (except those defined) is restricted.
• All discharge is prohibited within 500 m? Not, distance-based as above; further restriction that discharge of e.g. glass/paper may be allowed > 12 nm if no special area applies but disposal ashore preferred.

Special areas are those defined in MARPOL Annexes (e.g. Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea, Red Sea, Gulf area, the Wider Caribbean Region, the North Sea and the Antarctic area, and the Gulf of Aden for Annex I etc. For Annex V, the special areas include the Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea, Red Sea, Gulfs area, the North Sea, the Wider Caribbean (including the Gulf of Mexico? the Caribbean) and the Antarctic area).

Within a special area:

• Food wastes: may be discharged only when the ship is more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land (there is a stricter rule - in special areas, food waste discharge is allowed but not within 12 miles of land).
• All other garbage: discharge into the sea is prohibited within special areas. That includes plastics, paper, glass, garbage.
• Cargo residues: discharge is prohibited except for certain substances, and then only with strict conditions (e.g. washing/handling resulting in residues may discharge only > 12 nautical miles under conditions and if no EU/regional stricter measure, and must be material not harmful).
• All plastics are prohibited everywhere including special areas.
• Ships must retain all garbage for discharge to a port reception facility; record in the Garbage Record Book. Ships may only discharge comminuted food waste > 12 miles; otherwise must keep all.
• The Antarctic area: discharge of food wastes may only be over 12 miles from the nearest land and the discharge must be comminuted/ground to pass a 25mm mesh and protected from birds.
• Reception facilities must be provided at all ports in special areas by the Parties.