Clean Boating Information

So, you enjoy life at sea. You feel at home out on the open waters. But are you practicing clean and green boating so that your ocean experience isn’t compromising the local environment?

Find proper disposal options for your boat

Terms include:

• Absorbent pad disposal
• Battery drop-off
• Bilge pump-out
• Port-a-potty dump station
• Sewage pump-out
• Used motor oil recycling
• Used oil filter collection

Absorbent pad disposal

Absorbent pads are useful for soaking up water-based liquids. They typically come in a dimpled form that allows for more absorbtion to take place, like a more durable paper towel.Absorbent pads are often made of Polypropylene, a form of plastic. Recycling of Polypropylene may be available in your area, but the issue comes with what you decide to use your absorbent pads for.

In the naval world, absorbent pads are commonly used during oil changes or fueling to help prevent spills. Once the pad comes into contact with oil, it can no longer be recycled with other Polypropylene. Instead, you can find locations to dispose of it so the oil stays out of water and landfills. If you live in California or Washington, you can use Earth911 to find locations that distribute and properly dispose of absorbent pads.

Bilge pump-out

Part of the hassle of life on the water is dealing with the water that gets on/in your boat. If this water does not drain off the side, it will likely drain through your ship into what is known as the bilge. While this solves the problem short term, eventually the bilge must be pumped so that your boat doesn’t sink. Well, there’s a lot more than just salt water in the bilge when this time comes. It could also contain oil, urine and engine cleaning solvents.

Obviously you don’t want to dump these materials into fresh water, which is why bilge pump-out facilities are available. You can find either docked pump-out options, or have another ship perform mobile-to-mobile bilge pumping while you’re at sea.

Earth911’s Clean Boating Section information was provided in partnership with the California Clean Boating Network.