Waste management
Criteria by type of participant
Ship owners
Ports
Seaway
Terminals
Shipyards
2024 criteria
Level 1
Monitoring of regulations
Level 2
2.1 Equip all of the company's ships with recycling bins and give staff proper training on established user procedures and the waste management hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle, recovery, disposal).
2.2 Favor suppliers that use less packaging.
2.3 Encourage the use of reusable, biodegradable and/or recyclable supplies.
2.4 No shipboard incineration at port.
Domestic ship owners only:
2.5 Reuse as much as possible dunnage, lining and packaging material.
Level 3
3.1 Produce an annual inventory of different types of garbage generated in the company's entire fleet and indicate the company's actual garbage management practices.
Note: Garbage types refer to the categories defined in MARPOL Annex V, but each company can include additional categories.
Optional criteria for ships calling at European ports (referring to Regulation (EU) 2022/91, Article 1(1)):
3.2 Implement on-board segregation of waste in accordance with the IMO's guidelines (MEPC.295(71)) and ensure delivery to adequate port reception facilities that comply with the European regulation (Article 4(2)(d) of Directive (EU) 2019/883).
3.3 Adopt an environmentally sustainable purchasing policy aiming at reducing the use of packaging materials and avoiding single-use plastics.
Level 4
4.1 Develop and implement a garbage management strategy defining targets, tools, and measures for reducing garbage generated, reducing discharge at sea, and increasing recycling.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
Level 5
5.1 Demonstrate continual improvement by achieving targets defined in the garbage management strategy.
2024 criteria
Level 1
Monitoring of regulations
Level 2
Implementation of the majority of applicable criteria:
2.1 Equip offices, workspaces, and facilities with recycling bins, including for used batteries, cartridges, and fluorescent light bulbs, and make sure they are strategically located and appropriately labelled.
2.2 Install clear signage for waste disposal on port or terminal property.
2.3 Provide training and/or educate staff on established garbage management procedures and hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Valorize – as in to add value – and Eliminate), including on procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous waste.
2.4 Encourage the use of 1) reusable, 2) recyclable and 3) compostable supplies (e.g. reusable dishes, etc.).
2.5 Encourage staff to adopt sustainable paper use practices (e.g. reduce overall printing and copy paper consumption, double-sided printing, use post-consumer recycled paper, reuse and recycle paper, etc.).
2.6 Promote and encourage tenants, users, contractors, and/or clients to minimize waste and to recycle.
2.7 Gather information from the local service provider/waste hauler in order to have a better understanding of the relative costs and the environmental benefits related to the disposal of waste, recycling, and organics.
2.8 Eliminate or limit the use of plastic straws, plastic bottles, single-use coffee cups, and any other similar items in the administrative office.
2.9 Place marked garbage and recycling containers at convenient locations on site (e.g., for employees and visitors).
Operating ports only:
2.10 Reuse and/or recycle as much as possible dunnage, lining, and packaging material, where compliant with federal and/or state wood packaging import regulations.
Ports operating dry bulk terminals (2.10, 2.11, 2.12):
2.11 Adopt procedures to minimize the amount of cargo residues left on board the ships.
2.12 Facilitate the discharge of solid bulk cargo residues ashore, including hold sweepings.
2.13 Recover as much as possible off-specification products (i.e., products captured in stormwater sumps and effluent treatment works) or reintroduce them into the handling process.
Note: Not applicable to terminals that handle multiple dry bulk products because of cross-contamination risks.
Level 3
3.1 Implement all applicable best practices listed at level 2.
Fulfill one of the following 2 criteria:
3.2 Produce an annual inventory of all waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
OR
3.3 Conduct a waste audit every five (5) years to identify the types and amount of waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
Note: The inventory or audit does not include waste generated from demolition or construction projects.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
Level 4
4.1 Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy that encourages sustainable purchasing practices (e.g., products using less packaging, reusable/recyclable/compostable products, products with post-consumer recycled content, circular economy products).
4.2 Conduct a waste audit every five years to identify the types and amount of waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
Note: The waste audit does not include waste generated from demolition or construction projects.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
4.3 Based on the results from the waste audit, adopt and implement a Waste Management and Reduction plan that describes the participant’s waste management practices and procedures, including all applicable best practices of levels 2 and 3. The plan must also define measurable waste reduction, recycling, and/or diversion rates and identify practices and strategies to achieve these rates.
Note: Each participant defines its own “normalizer” to take into account fluctuations in port activities (e.g. per capita, per ton, per vessel, etc.).
Note: See Annex 5-B.
4.4 Adopt and implement formal procedures for reducing, reusing, recycling, and valorizing and/or properly disposing waste generated during construction, excavation, and demolition work (e.g., cement, concrete, bricks, gypsum, wool, asphalt, wood, steel, and other metals, etc.). These procedures must be included in all construction, demolition, and excavation projects.
Level 5
5.1 Demonstrate continual achievement in waste diversion and reduction at source in line with the objectives established in the Waste Management and Reduction plan.
2024 criteria
Level 1
Monitoring of regulations
Level 2
Implementation of the majority of applicable criteria:
2.1 Equip offices, workspaces, and facilities with recycling bins, including for used batteries, cartridges, and fluorescent light bulbs, and make sure they are strategically located and appropriately labeled.
2.2 Install clear signage for waste disposal on terminal property.
2.3 Provide training and/or educate staff on established garbage management procedures and hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Valorize – as in to add value), including procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous waste.
2.4 Encourage the use of 1) reusable, 2) recyclable and 3) compostable supplies (e.g. reusable dishes, etc.).
2.5 Encourage staff to adopt sustainable paper use practices (e.g. reduce overall printing and copy paper consumption, double-sided printing, use post-consumer recycled paper, reuse and recycle paper, etc.).
2.6 Promote and encourage users, contractors, and/or clients to minimize waste and to recycle.
2.7 Gather information from the local service provider/waste hauler in order to have a better understanding of the relative costs and the environmental benefits related to the disposal of waste, recycling, and organics.
2.8 Eliminate or limit the use of plastic straws, plastic bottles, single-use coffee cups, and any other similar items in the administrative office.
2.9 Place marked garbage and recycling containers at convenient locations on site (e.g., for employees and visitors).
Dry bulk terminals (2.9, 2.10, 2.11):
2.10 Adopt procedures to minimize the amount of cargo residues left on board the ships.
2.11 Facilitate the discharge of solid bulk cargo residues ashore, including hold sweepings.
2.12 Recover as much as possible off-specification products (i.e.: Products captured in stormwater sumps and effluent treatment works) or reintroduce them into the handling process.
Note: Not applicable in terminals that handle multiple dry bulk products because of cross-contamination risks.
Level 3
3.1 Implement all applicable best practices listed at level 2.
AND, fulfill one of the following 2 criteria:
3.2 Produce an annual inventory of all waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
OR
3.3 Conduct a waste audit every five (5) years to identify the types and amount of waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
Note: The inventory or audit does not include waste generated from demolition or construction projects.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
Level 4
4.1 Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy that encourages sustainable purchasing practices (e.g., products using less packaging, reusable/recyclable/compostable products, products with post-consumer recycled content, circular economy products).
4.2 Conduct a waste audit every five years to identify the types and amount of waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
Note: The waste audit does not include waste generated from demolition or construction projects.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
4.3 Based on the results from the waste audit, adopt and implement a Waste Management and Reduction plan that describes the participant’s waste management practices and procedures, including all applicable best practices of levels 2 and 3. The plan must also define measurable waste reduction, recycling, and/or diversion rates and identify practices and strategies to achieve these rates.
Note: Each participant defines its own “normalizer” to take into account fluctuations in activities (e.g., per capita, per ton, per vessel, etc.).
Note: See Annex 5-B.
4.4 Adopt and implement formal procedures for reducing, reusing, recycling, and valorizing and/or properly disposing of waste generated during construction, excavation and demolition work (e.g. cement, concrete, bricks, gypsum, wool, asphalt, wood, steel, and other metals, etc.). These procedures must be included in all construction, demolition, and excavation projects.
Level 5
5.1 Demonstrate continual achievement in waste diversion and reduction at source in line with the objectives established in the Waste Management and Reduction plan.
2023 criteria
Level 1
Monitoring of regulations
Level 2
Implementation of the majority of criteria:
2.1 Equip offices, workspaces, and facilities with recycling bins, including for used batteries, cartridges, and fluorescent light bulbs, and make sure they are strategically located and appropriately labeled.
2.2 Install clear signage for waste disposal on shipyard property.
2.3 Provide training and/or educate staff on established garbage management procedures and hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Valorize – as in to add value), including procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous waste.
2.4 Encourage the use of 1) reusable, 2) recyclable and 3) compostable supplies (e.g. reusable dishes, etc.).
2.5 Encourage staff to adopt sustainable paper use practices (e.g. reduce overall printing and copy paper consumption, double-sided printing, use post-consumer recycled paper, reuse and recycle paper, etc.).
2.6 Promote and encourage users, contractors, and/or clients to minimize waste and to recycle.
2.7 Gather information from the local service provider/waste hauler in order to have a better understanding of the relative costs and the environmental benefits related to the disposal of waste, recycling, and organics.
2.8 Eliminate or limit the use of plastic straws, plastic bottles, single-use coffee cups, and any other similar items in the administrative office.
2.9 Place marked garbage and recycling containers at convenient locations on site (e.g., for employees and visitors).
Level 3
3.1 Implement all applicable best practices listed at level 2.
AND, fulfill one of the following 2 criteria:
3.2 Produce an annual inventory of all waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
OR
3.3 Conduct a waste audit every five (5) years to identify the types and amount of waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
Note: The inventory or audit does not include waste generated from demolition or construction projects.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
Level 4
4.1 Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy that encourages sustainable purchasing practices (e.g., products using less packaging, reusable/recyclable/compostable products, products with post-consumer recycled content, circular economy products).
4.2 Conduct a waste audit every five years to identify the types and amount of waste being generated during the participant’s direct activities (administrative and/or site operations).
Note: The waste audit does not include waste generated from demolition or construction projects.
Note: See Annex 5-A.
4.3 Based on the results from the waste audit, adopt and implement a Waste Management and Reduction plan that describes the participant’s waste management practices and procedures, including all applicable best practices of levels 2 and 3. The plan must also define measurable waste reduction, recycling, and/or diversion rates and identify practices and strategies to achieve these rates.
Note: Each participant defines its own “normalizer” to take into account fluctuations in activities (e.g., per capita, per ton, per vessel, etc.).
Note: See Annex 5-B.
4.4 Adopt and implement formal procedures for reducing, reusing, recycling, and valorizing and/or properly disposing of waste generated during construction, excavation and demolition work (e.g. cement, concrete, bricks, gypsum, wool, asphalt, wood, steel, and other metals, etc.). These procedures must be included in all construction, demolition, and excavation projects.
Level 5
5.1 Demonstrate continual achievement in waste diversion and reduction at source in line with the objectives established in the Waste Management and Reduction plan.
