Cruise ships represent one of the fastest growing tourism sectors globally. However, the management of special waste produced during voyages on the high seas is an issue of great importance, both from an environmental and regulatory point of view. Every day, these boats generate a wide range of waste that must be treated with extreme care and in compliance with current laws.
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What is special waste?
Special waste is that deriving from production, commercial, service and health activities. Cruise ships, in particular, produce different types of special waste, due to the variety of services offered on board, from sanitary facilities to kitchens and technical spaces.
Main types of special waste on board
1. Medical waste
Medical facilities on cruise ships generate a significant amount of medical waste, which includes:
- Gauze, gloves, syringes and scalpels used for medical treatments on board.
- Objects contaminated with biological fluids, which pose a biological risk.
- Waste at chemical risk, deriving from the use of drugs and chemicals in medical treatments.
Hazardous or biohazardous medical waste should be collected in heavy-duty containers to ensure safety during storage and disposal.
2. WEEE waste
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) includes electronic devices that need electricity to operate, such as televisions, minibars, exhausted batteries, and neon lights.
3. Waste from maintenance operations
Maintenance operations generate waste such as used engine oils, filters, plastics and packaging from on-board supplies.
4. Waste containing sensitive data
Documents such as booking contracts and invoices must be securely destroyed to avoid privacy violations.
5. Food waste
The kitchens on board produce food scraps and used oils. Proper management is essential for the protection of the marine environment.
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International regulations on the management of special waste on board
- MARPOL: Rules to prevent marine pollution caused by ships.
- European Directive 2008/98/EC: Rules for waste management.
- Basel Convention: Control of transboundary movements of hazardous waste.
Special waste disposal process
- Agreement with a specialized company: Contract with authorized companies.
- Internal collection: Use of specific containers for each type of waste.
- Delivery and transport: Transfer of waste to authorized plants.
FAQ
What is special waste produced on board?
They include medical waste, WEEE, maintenance waste, waste containing sensitive data and food.
What regulations govern disposal?
Regulations such as MARPOL, European Directive 2008/98/EC and Legislative Decree 197/2021 regulate waste management on board.
