Challenges, lessons learned, best practices and way forward to prevent, reduce and control pollution from marine debris, plastics and microplastics

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1 National Environment and 17th meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (the Informal Consultative Process ) Challenges, lessons learned, best practices and way forward to prevent, reduce and control pollution from marine debris, plastics and microplastics Anthony McKenzie Jamaica June 2016

2 The Jamaican Context - Marine Litter and Plastics This presentation outlines: The challenges Jamaica is facing with respect to the management of solid waste with specific reference to plastics and plastic packaging material. Best practice recommendations being pursued by the Government of Jamaica and being implemented on a phased basis. As a specific case reference, the measures being implemented by the Government of Jamaica to handle ship generated waste in the absence of a physical waste reception facility.

3 The Jamaican Context - Marine Litter and Plastics Marine Litter, Microplastics, Plastics are a major concern for Jamaica and the region. Yearly data for Jamaica derived from International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICCD) activities point to the serious problem of marine debris. The LBS Protocol and the recently updated Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter Management provides the regional context. The issue of marine pollution including marine litter is being discussed in the LBS Protocol Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment in which Jamaica is involved. The Montego Bay UNEP-GPA Second Global Land-Ocean Connections Conference (GLOC-2) meeting in 2013 co-hosted by Jamaica, discussed marine litter and agreed on Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) Jamaica s adopt a beach programme is intended to provided a sustained approached to beach management at the local level. This initiative also complement s the Reef Guardian programme being supported by the Australian Government and piloted in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

4 Solid Waste Characterization Plastics represent the 3 rd highest category of waste at the waste disposal facilities 3.4% 3.9% 0.4% Waste Category Average 2015 (%) Average 2006* (%) 2.6% 4.8% 15.1% 15.5% 54.5% Compostable Paper Plastics Glass Cardboard Metal/Tin Textile Compostable Paper Plastics Glass Cardboard Wood/Board Metal/Tin Wood/Board Textile E-waste/other TOTAL

5 Solid Waste Characterization Households in urban areas generated an average of kg. each collection day (3.5 days); The generation of domestic waste per person is approximately 1kg./person/day; Organic waste accounted for approximately 54.5% of all waste generated in 2015 down from 69% in The generation of plastics was up in 2015 in relation to Some plastics are sold direct, or given to private recyclers rather than disposal at the land fill.

6 Solid Waste Characterization Composition of Plastics appearing in the waste stream in Jamaica (top 6) Plastic/Resin % Examples of Products Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET) 51.2 Beverages and Frozen Product Packaging High Density 7.4 Liquid Packaging, Crates Polyethylene (HDPE) Polyvinyl Chloride 7 Pipe Fittings, Hoses, Furniture (PVC) Polyesters 4.8 Textile Polystyrene (PS) 4.5 Disposable Untensiles, Packages fats and margarines Polystyrene or Styrofoam 4.4 Disposable items, insulation

7 ICCD Beach Clean-up Waste Characterization Debris Amount % of total Bottle caps (Plastics) Plastic pieces (2.5 cm or less) Overall 60,705 items of garbage were collected during 2015 beach clean-up, an increase in garbage bagged of 45% compared to the previous year. Beverage Bottle (Plastic) 2 liters or less Foam pieces (2.5 cm or less) Other plastic/foam packaging Cups & plates Beverage bottle (glass) Other plastic bags lids Forks, knives, spones

8 Challenges related to Solid Waste Management Limited enforcement related to litter; Need for updated legislation and policies related to solid waste management; Limited opportunities to generate income from waste; Many of the solid waste disposal sites are at a critical state of capacity; None of the solid waste disposal sites are sanitary landfills;

9 Best practices and way forward The following represents critical areas of concern with respect to the management of plastics and micro plastics. The focus is largely on prevention; how to control the sources of the pollution. Strategy/issue The phase out of certain types of plastics and packaging material Alternatives to plastics for use in packaging Explanation The government of Jamaica is presently embarking on a process of consultation with respect to the gradual phaseout of the use of certain types of packaging material. The international community should consider a phase out programme for identified plastic forms. Alternative packaging material that are easily biodegradable at low cost will need to be identified. The use of paper as an alternate is a matter of grave concern given the potential for increased deforestation.

10 Best practices and way forward Strategy/issue Sorting of solid waste at source Formal system of recycling Explanation Legislation is required to ensure and enforce the sorting of various forms of domestic and commercial waste at source. This is now being contemplated by the GOJ. There is presently some amount of recycling of some types of packaging material. This sector needs to be formalized; including the establishment of an incentive (economic) scheme

11 Best practices and way forward Strategy/issue Public education and behavior change in handling and disposal of plastics/solid waste Inadequate public collection and final disposal systems and the need for appropriate treatment technology Explanation A major sustained thrust towards affecting public behavioral change in the handling, management and disposal of plastics (garbage) is necessary. The application of appropriate technology in the collection, treatment and disposal is necessary to support the effective management of the waste stream given the ecological sensitive areas at risk.

12 Best practices and way forward Strategy/issue Facility for ship generated waste Research on micro plastics in coastal waters and impact on species Explanation The Caribbean sea is defined as a special area. Waste generated by ships ought to be disposed of at land based reception facilities. Jamaica like most Island countries in the Caribbean does not presently have such a facilities. Limited information is available on the concentration of micro plastics in our environment and on the impact on marine species.

13 MARPOL 73/78 Annex V Regulates ship source pollution by the following harmful substances: Annex I Oil Annex II Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS) Annex III Harmful Substances in Packaged Form Annex IV Sewage Annex V Garbage Annex VI Air Pollution

14 MARPOL Annex V Reg.1 Garbage means: all kinds of victual, domestic and operational waste, excluding fresh fish and parts thereof, generated during the normal operation of the vessel and liable to be disposed of continuously or periodically.

15 Special Area under MARPOL 73/ Wider Caribbean was declared a Special Area for the regulation of Annex V - Garbage In a Special Area stricter standards for the disposal of Garbage may be enforced May 2011 Special Area came into operation

16 Special Area under MARPOL 73/78 Special Area Discharge Restrictions Prohibited All Plastics Floating Dunnage Paper, rags, glass, metals, bottles All other garbage Exceptions Food waste

17 Obligations under MARPOL ( Oil and garbage) Obligations for ship operators Ships required to retain on board wastes which cannot be discharged at sea Garbage Record Books Garbage Management Plans Rights of Coastal States ( Jamaica) May implement discharge requirements more stringent than outside special areas Obligations of Coastal States ( Jamaica) Provision of adequate reception facilities at ports

18 Prior to the Guidelines: Background to Guidelines Unregulated collection and discharge of ship generated garbage and sludge Illegal discharges of oil and garbage in Jamaican waters Illegal discharges of oily waste in mangroves, canefields etc. Absence of reception facilities is in breach of Jamaica s treaty obligations

19 Background to Guidelines Guidelines will serve as an interim measure pending the implementation of an adequate regulatory framework. - Legislation will include severe penalties for failure to report discharges, falsification of reports, etc. - Liability will be joint & several (owner, master, agent, waste contractor, end user).

20 Committee Members The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) The Ministry of Health - Port Health The National Environment and (NEPA) The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

21 GUIDELINES Application of Guidelines: Ship operators Agents Waste Contractors End users

22 Underlying principles: GUIDELINES Waste will only be permitted to be discharged provided It meets MARPOL requirements Delivered to licensed contractors and end users End users confirm they will accept all waste being discharged No Customs Duty on waste discharged.

23 Ship operators Must give notice of requests Agents Should fulfill advance notification requirements Waste Contractors Must be licensed End users NSWMA dumpsite/landfill GUIDELINES

24 Obligations of Ship Operators/Agents Advise Quarantine Authority of request for discharge of Annex V waste at least 24 hours before arrival of the vessel from which the waste will be discharged. Advance Notification Form to be completed Ship s particulars Waste type, volume of waste to be discharged Time and place of discharge of the waste Guidelines Ensure that a completed copy of the Waste Delivery Receipt is submitted to Quarantine Authority Inform PAJ/ Port Operators/ of the intention to discharge wastes from vessels

25 GUIDELINES Obligations of Waste Contractors Possess valid authorisation from NSWMA for the transportation of waste Waste Delivery Receipt to be completed & signed verifying waste received & delivered Transport the waste safely and directly to the end users facility Submit completed copy of Waste Delivery Receipt to Quarantine Authority

26 The following MARPOL Annex V wastes will not be permitted to be discharged: Wooden pallets will only be permitted after written approval is obtained from the Plant and Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Health. Ash will only be permitted where it is the residue of the incineration of garbage generated from the operation of the ship.

27 Advanced Notification received by MoH & MAJ. Supporting documents provided by Shipping Agents (confirmation letters from waste contractor & end user) Waste Contractors approved by MoH & NEPA Waste offloaded in presence of MoH Officers (if available) & NEPA Officers (as necessary)

28 Short and Medium Term Strategies -Plastic and Packaging Material Short and medium term strategies including regulatory measures to address the issue of plastic packaging waste. Included for short term implementation: Expansion of resources recovery programme (Recycle Partners of Jamaica - RPJ) Measures related to single use packaging bags Waste containerization regulations Waste haulers regulation Increase in fine regulation Take back regulation To be implemented on a phased basis and benefit from the findings of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA): Considerations for deposit/refund scheme; banning of certain categories of packaging material; measures to support use of alternative biodegradable material.

29 Thank you