The challenge of single-use plastics on ships

Designed to be used only once (or for a very short period), single-use plastic products are often regarded as the embodiment of our throwaway culture. Once we discard them, single-use plastics typically end up in landfills and incinerators, as well as in our forests, parks, towns, beaches, and the ocean.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, including on recreational and maritime vessels, big and small. And regardless of industry, the Ocean Plastics and Marine Litter Special Interest Group at IMarEST has learned that plastic bottles are one of the most common single-use plastics found on board ships.

Bottles on board

Access to potable water is of paramount importance, especially when at sea for long periods. Many larger vessels used by industries such as cruise, cargo, and defence, as well as some larger yachts, have the equipment to produce drinking water from seawater or have purpose-built tanks to store freshwater between port visits. In either case, the water must be treated to ensure it is safe to drink. 

Chlorine is the most commonly used method to treat water, but as industry representatives highlighted to the OPMLSIG, it is notorious for leaving an unpleasant taste in the water. Industry representatives also noted that bad taste sometimes occurs with seawater-to-freshwater systems, especially when the systems aren’t maintained to a high standard. 

In discussions with representatives of the yachting, cruise, and passenger ship industries, all highlighted how the taste of water was a particular concern for their clients, who tend to pick bottled water over water from taps and fountains. Other industries also highlighted how vessel crew members often preferred bottled over tap water for the same reason.

The tendency for crew and clients to shy away from tap water isn’t entirely down to taste preferences. Industry representatives also noted health concerns, even when water is treated correctly. Whether real or perceived, the risk of sickness or worse from contaminated water is a major concern.

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Read the full story at Interactions.