Solid Waste
and
Storm Water Run-Off
Collection Facilities and Recycling
Summary
Provide proper trash disposal facilities to marina patrons.
Provide trash receptacles in convenient locations and in adequate numbers to handle the amount of trash generated. The receptacles should be emptied on a regular basis, depending on their usage and before they overflow. Usually, facilities have a centralized location for collecting trash. This collection facility may be regulated by local ordinance for location, height, and aesthetics. Some marinas have decided to regulate the accessibility of the collection facility by fencing it in to avoid problems with improper disposal of items such as oil in the container.
Provide facilities for the eventual recycling of appropriate materials, such as glass, aluminum, plastic, trash, newspapers, and batteries.
Materials such as aluminum, glass, plastic, newspapers, office paper, and cardboard are generally recyclable. Inventory recyclable material in your facility and identify what outlets exist for removing recycled material once it is collected. Design your program around those materials. Do not neglect items that are not commonly recycled but could be, such as monofilament and shrink-wrap. In some cases, the manufacturer may collect the material after it has been used. Once the program is created, start slowly and build on success. Also, check with your local ordinance to see what materials are required to be recycled.
In selecting recycling containers, first decide how containers will be collected and sorted. Consider the weight of a full container and judge whether it can be dumped by one person. Can some recyclables be collected in one container (i.e., glass and aluminum)? Should containers have lids to protect the contents from spilling out and prevent rain water from getting in? Appreciate the value of a distinct, commonly known, recognized recycling bin like the green igloo or gumdrop.
The easier and more convenient recycling is for the boaters, the more cooperative they will be. The definition of adequate and convenient reception facilities is elusive and best defined by the marina management. When considering convenient facilities, consider frequency and type of use in certain portions of the marina, distance between end of finger piers and dumpster in parking lot, number of customers, etc. Some suggested locations include: next to or near trash containers, landside foot of the dock, close to bathrooms and showers, next to vending machines, fuel docks, and transient docks, in the marina office, and ship's store. Consider, where possible, the potential of keeping trash and recycling bins near each other. Be aware, however, some customers may accidentally confuse the two bins and contaminate them.
Establish fish-cleaning areas.
If the facility is home port to people who partake in recreational fishing, consider providing special areas within the facility for them to clean their catch and dispose of fish waste properly. The objective is to minimize the possibility of fish waste's being disposed of directly into the marina confines. Fish waste can be especially problematic in "dead end" coves and harbors where flushing rates are low. As fish waste degrades within the marina confines, it uses dissolved oxygen that may lead to foul odors as well as water quality problems. Other methods to mitigate this potential problem include:
- Implementing fish composting or fish disposal containers where appropriate.
- Encouraging boaters to clean their catch on their way back into port.