Plastic Only Garbage Disposal Sign

The Plastic Only Garbage Disposal Sign is a mandatory-action placard marking a segregated waste receptacle for plastic materials under MARPOL Annex V shipboard garbage management requirements. Featuring the standard blue circle mandatory pictogram alongside clear “Marine Garbage Disposal Regulations – Plastic Only” text, this sign ensures crew and passengers correctly sort waste at the point of disposal, supporting the vessel’s Garbage Management Plan and preventing the accidental discharge of plastic into the marine environment.

Why a Plastic Only Garbage Disposal Sign Is a MARPOL Requirement

MARPOL Annex V imposes the strictest discharge restrictions of any garbage category on plastics, prohibiting their disposal into the sea under virtually all circumstances regardless of the vessel’s distance from shore. Correct segregation at source is the foundation of compliant onboard waste management, and a clearly worded plastic only garbage disposal sign at every collection point removes any ambiguity about which receptacle accepts which material – a common source of accidental cross-contamination that can compromise a vessel’s entire garbage record book entries if discovered during a Port State Control inspection.

Plastic Only Garbage Disposal Sign: Where It Belongs

Post the plastic only garbage disposal sign directly above or on the designated receptacle in:

• Galley and pantry waste segregation stations
• Crew mess room and recreation area bins
• Cabin and accommodation area waste collection points
• Deck and engine room segregated waste storage areas

Because MARPOL Annex V requires garbage record book entries to reflect accurate segregation and disposal, consistent signage across every collection point on board helps ensure the paper trail matches what actually happens at the bin.

Durable Signage for Galley and Waste Station Use

Our plastic only garbage disposal sign is manufactured in rigid, photoluminescent, marine-grade material resistant to moisture, grease, and the routine washdown typical of galley and waste handling areas. The high-contrast lettering remains legible under normal lighting conditions, and the sign is sized for direct mounting above bins, chutes, or dedicated segregation cabinets.

For related garbage segregation signage covering other MARPOL Annex V waste categories, browse the complete Mandatory Signs collection for the full IMO-compliant range, or see our related Wash Your Hands Sign for galley hygiene compliance. For background on shipboard garbage management obligations, see the IMO’s MARPOL Annex V garbage management guidance.

Order your Plastic Only Garbage Disposal Sign today in durable, photoluminescent, marine-grade material sized to suit your waste station or bin mounting location, and help keep your vessel’s garbage segregation fully MARPOL-compliant.

Plastic Only Garbage Disposal Sign: Supporting the Garbage Record Book

Every entry logged in a vessel’s Garbage Record Book relies on accurate segregation happening correctly at the source, and a plastic only garbage disposal sign at each collection point is the physical control that makes those entries trustworthy. Crew inductions should specifically cover every plastic only garbage disposal sign location so new joiners understand from day one that plastic waste, unlike most other garbage categories, cannot legally be discharged at sea under any circumstances short of a very narrow accidental-loss exemption. During flag state and Port State Control inspections, surveyors frequently check waste segregation signage against the actual garbage record book entries, and a well-maintained plastic only garbage disposal sign at every relevant bin demonstrates that the vessel’s environmental compliance extends beyond paperwork into daily crew practice.

A Simple Sign Supporting a Serious Environmental Obligation

Because plastic pollution is one of the most heavily scrutinised environmental compliance areas in modern shipping, a clearly worded plastic only garbage disposal sign at every waste station is a small investment that directly supports the vessel’s environmental record and reduces the risk of a garbage management deficiency during survey or inspection.