Submarine Force Prepares for Compliance with Requirement to Retain Plastic Waste

Blackanthem Military News, NORFOLK, Va., March 03, 2006 12:54

The Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) has developed a submarine plastic waste management program that safely, effectively and affordably retains plastic waste aboard submarines for shore disposal. A Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) message was issued in January 2006 to raise Fleet awareness of the action requirements.

This technology enables submarines to comply with the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships’ (APPS), requiring all U.S. Navy ships and submarines to retain all plastic waste for shore disposal. The approved submarine management plan calls for the retention of all plastic waste for shore disposal by Dec. 31, 2008.

"The current and interim stipulation is for submarines to adhere to a '3/20 day' rule," said Dunstan Mensah, Naval Sea Systems Command, Team Submarine Environmental, Occupational Safety and Health manager. "This rule stipulates that all food contaminated plastic waste must be retained for shore disposal within three days of returning to port, and 20 days for all non-food contaminated plastic waste. The 3/20 rule applies until (APPS) restriction on submarine plastic waste discharges takes effect."

The plan calls for compacting plastic waste into specifically formulated high strength odor barrier bags (OBBs) using the submarine trash compactor units. The OBBs are compacted and cable tied to prevent re-expansion of the plastic. The cable tied OBBs are overwrapped with a second OBB, which is then heat-sealed to complete the odor barrier. This compaction and overwrap process give submarines the long-term storage capabilities with minimal effect to crew quality of life.

Currently, 21 of 73 submarines have already received the stowage alteration.

"On average, one filled OBB is generated every other day while underway," Mensah explained. "That’s 25-30 pounds of plastic waste, approximately one cubic foot in size."

This new initiative has already been designed into the new Virginia-class submarines. 688-class submarines will require the modification of their wardroom pantries to create a storage locker for the OBBs. This locker will be able to store up to 16 OBBs. Both Seawolf-class and SSBN/SSGN submarines have existing storage locations identified for the OBBs and will not require locker modifications.

"The plastic waste management system developed is a simple solution that will enable submarines to retain all plastic waste without compromising operations, readiness, safety and health or quality of life," Mensah stated.

An initial issue of OBBs will be provided, along with cable ties and the heat sealer. As each submarine receives the necessary equipment and training on the new system, environmental education for ship’s company as well as feedback to NAVSEA will ensure the success and necessary changes to this program.

"A training package will go to each submarine along with the initial set of bags," said Lt. Cmdr. Alejandro Alvarado, afloat occupational health, safety and environmental compliance director for Commander, Naval Submarine Forces. "The intent is that by the end of 2008, complete retention of plastic waste. No dumping, period."

Alvarado also stressed that although the use of OBBs with the associated heat sealer will allow full regulatory compliance, the Submarine Force is actively engaged with research and design engineers at NAVSEA and NSWC to find more effective and less intrusive means of managing submarine plastic waste.

"Hopefully, the use of OBBs and heat sealers will be an interim solution as new materials, methods and technologies are explored," Alvarado said.

An average of 10 attack submarines are deployed globally at any given time, performing a variety of missions in support of national security and the global war on terrorism. Even with all that responsibility, submariners continue to strive to be good stewards of the environment they dwell in under the sea.

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs