Page 57 - SMI Issue 62

Green ISSAStandardising shipboard “green” product useAmajor paradigm shift is needed in relation to ‘green’ cleaning products that are used onboard ships.That’s according to John Paparone, owner of Environmental Solution based in North Carolina, US, which distributes a wide range of eco-friendly products.“Standardising the use of these items is critical to ensure the ‘real’ safety ofthe environment while maintaining best practices for preserving equipment on an ongoing basis,” he said.“While other aspects of maritime operations have detailed requirements and regulatory oversight, the use of some cleaning products, particularly those claiming to be environmentally friendly, are not well understood.”For example, he said, existing guidance via the EPA’s (US Environmental Protection Agency) ‘Design for the Environment’ or ‘Green Seal’ is not targeted to the aquatic environment.The criteria is focused on land-based applications that also have waste water treatment facilities.“The land-based scheme is based on toxicity of cleaning product formulations, residue to treat etc. The bottom lineis it is treated before release, which is not necessarily analogous to onboard applications.”He said the DfE products were less toxic than their predecessors and are designed to be readily biodegradable, meaning they will provide complete biodegradation by way of converting their components into carbon dioxide and water within 28 days. The substance of DfE and other products could beany number of items, such as cleaner/degreaser, neutral cleaner, window cleaner, barge cleaning product etc.Mr Paparone said products were often so altered by industry, that questions arose as to whether the formulation of components, which individually may be readily biodegradable, would continueto biodegrade to their natural state in 28 days or less.“All aspects of the issue must be taken into consideration when looking to improve the true viability of these purportedly ‘green’ products.”The goal should be to qualify cleaning products used onboard ship and the quantity stored, based on their toxicity to the aquatic environment, said Mr Paparone.He also said that commonly used housekeeping cleaning products such as window cleaners, soaps and shampoos also made it into waste water going into the grey water holding tank which is either pumped off to be treated ashore or, where permitted discharged into the ocean beyond the three nautical mile limit.“Stuff that would be treated in a wastewater treatment facility ashore and stuff that gets discharged, where permitted, at sea without treatment.“It is generally acknowledged that products other than oil, such as solvents, are discharged overboard as they arenot detected by the oil content monitor and OWS. This unsafe and irresponsible practice us polluting the oceans with unknown quantities of phosphates, caustics and alkalis, for instance, because we are not focused on using the best products, not only for the ocean and the environment, b for desired results in the cleaning process.”Mr Paparone suggested that classification societies should set and agree on a scheme or provide a listing of products that are acceptable for shipboard use and the quantity permitted onboard. He said the listings should include products such as cleaning products, solvents, oils and lubes.“Making changes now means getting ahead of potential incoming regulations. The projections are for the shipping and cruise industries to continue to grow,” he said.“As a collective, we need to take greater steps, on our own initiative, to create a cleaner, greener environment and foster more social responsibility by urging this much needed change.” uIssue 70 2016 |The Ship Supplier | 55