Trash!????

[wingNwing]

I think what he meant is that the only trash that accumulates when you're offshore is plastic; because its acceptable to throw everything else overboard.

[SVAuspicious]

Originally Posted by aa3jy

Thogh partially incorrect in stating MARPOL regs..however next time you sail through the Sargasso Sea you might change your mind after seeing the amount of plastic just floating around...

Plastics at SEA | North Atlantic Expedition | Sea Education Association (SEA)

Originally Posted by wingNwing

I think what he meant is that the only trash that accumulates when you're offshore is plastic; because its acceptable to throw everything else overboard.

Jaye is correct. I was focused on accumulated trash - offshore there isn't anything in it but plastic since everything else is okay to go over the side. I work hard to minimize plastic. I use Lock-n-Lock containers for storage that get cleaned and reused. ZipLock bags get cleaned and reused. I even wash Foodsaver vacuum bags and pack them for reuse later. I do NOT use the little water bottles but expect my crews to use reusable water bottles that are filled from tanks or large containers. Plastic over the side is simply not acceptable.

12 miles offshore and more metal and glass and food waste go over. 3 miles and more bits and pieces and heads go over. MARPOL is the rule I go by.

[Bene505]

Gettting rid of trash and filling the water tanks are the reasons we stop to buy fuel. OK, it's really about water, but it's great to get rid of the garbage bags. We have an extra head that we use as a clost to store the little shop vac (thank you true sine wave inverter) and garbage.

Regards,
Brad

[kb3pwc]

At last we were out on the hook this weekend....Friday night aboard, departed Saturday, returned Monday evening. We felt a bit "steamed" but that was only the weather; not from dealing with trash.

I wanted to thank all for their thoughts of handling "trash" while aboard. I used many of the suggestions and was delighted to find that after almost 4 days of collecting the usual refuse one accumulates, I was happy to have only a partially filled bag to go into the dumpster and a small bag that was dispensed into recycling.

For me, that is "pretty neat".

Leslie (kb3pwc)

s/v Tango, CR 34
soon to be at Lankford Bay Marina