Garbage Record Book
The shipboard waste log, with an applicability threshold recently extended and new Special Areas active since 2025.
Operational Explanation
The Garbage Record Book documents the discharge at sea (where permitted) and the landing ashore of every category of waste generated on board: plastics, food waste, domestic waste, cooking oil, cargo residues, incinerator ash, operational waste, animal carcasses, fishing gear, and e-waste.
Regulatory update: since 1 May 2024 the applicability threshold has been lowered from 400 GT to 100 GT; since 1 January 2025 the Red Sea is a new Special Area also for the purposes of Annex V, with stricter discharge restrictions.
Regulatory Reference
MARPOL Annex V, format set out in Appendix II. Threshold extended to 100 GT from 1 May 2024; Red Sea Special Area in force since 1 January 2025.
Scope of Application
Every ship of 100 GT and above, every ship certified to carry 15 or more persons, and every fixed or floating platform. A Garbage Management Plan with a designated person in charge is also required on board.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Categorise the waste according to the MARPOL Annex V categories (plastic, food, cooking, cargo, ash, etc.).
- Check whether discharge at sea is permitted for that category/area (in many Special Areas discharge is prohibited except for food waste at certain distances from the coast).
- Record date, time, position, category and estimated quantity for every discharge or landing ashore.
- For plastics, discharge at sea is always prohibited under any circumstances.
- Update the Garbage Management Plan whenever the onboard organisation or the types of waste handled change.
Practical Example
Example entry: "18.07.2026, 14:20, position 12°30'N 043°10'E (Red Sea, Special Area), comminuted food waste, 0.05 m³, discharge not permitted in the Special Area → waste retained on board for landing ashore at Aden."
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Incorrect waste categorisation | Entry not compliant with the Appendix II format | Train the crew on the official IMO categories |
| Garbage Management Plan not updated after the threshold change | PSC deficiency for ships between 100-400 GT | Check applicability after 1 May 2024 |
| Even accidental plastic loss not recorded | Serious violation, heavy penalties | Record accidental losses too, with cause and estimated quantity |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Check whether your ship now falls under the requirement following the threshold reduction to 100 GT (from 1 May 2024).
- Always keep track of the Special Areas active along your route: the Red Sea has been a Special Area since 1 January 2025.
- Never discharge plastic at sea, under any circumstances.
Checklist
- Garbage Management Plan present and up to date
- Waste management officer designated
- Waste categories correctly distinguished
- No plastic discharge recorded
- Awareness of the Special Areas along the route