S.L. 234.33 Art. 4Disposal of garbage outside special areas.

(1) The disposal of all plastics from a ship into the sea outside special areas is prohibited.

(2) The disposal from a ship into the sea outside special areas, of garbage other than plastics is prohibited except where it is made as far as practicable from the nearest land and:

(a) in the case of dunnage, lining and packing materials which will float, not less than twenty-five miles from the nearest land; or

(b) in the case of food wastes and all other garbage including paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery and similar refuse, not less than twelve miles or, if such wastes and other garbage have been ground or comminuted to the required standard, not less than three miles from the nearest land. When the garbage is mixed with other discharges having different disposal or discharge requirements under Maltese law or under MARPOL 73/78, the more stringent requirements shall apply.