🔍 Key Concepts

• 33 CFR Part 151 – Vessels Carrying Oil, Noxious Liquid Substances, Garbage, Municipal or Commercial Waste, and Ballast Water • The definition of plastic under the garbage pollution rules (Annex V / 33 CFR 151 Subpart A) • Whether any discharge of plastic is ever allowed, regardless of distance from land

💭 Think About

• Look at each option and ask yourself: does moving farther from land ever make it legal to discharge plastic or plastic mixed with garbage? • Think about why plastics are treated differently from food waste or paper – how persistent are they in the marine environment? • In 33 CFR 151, is there a special, stricter rule for plastics compared with other types of garbage like dunnage or food waste?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm in 33 CFR 151 whether plastic has its own prohibition separate from other garbage categories. • Check if the regulation ever lists a minimum distance from nearest land at which plastic discharge becomes allowed, or if it stays prohibited everywhere. • Verify whether the words "into any waters" or similar absolute language are used for plastic in the regulation.