One of Matson’s more exceptional environmental initiatives marked its 10th anniversary in 2003 and has been embraced enthusiastically by our offshore personnel. The program is formally called “Zero Solid Waste Discharge” and involves significantly reducing the amount of waste thrown overboard while a vessel is at sea.

The genesis of the program began when representatives from the Center for Marine Conservation (now known as the Ocean Conservancy) rode aboard Matson’s S.S. Matsonia and evaluated how waste was disposed of on a commercial vessel. Upon doing this, the CMC provided Matson with several recommendations on how to improve its waste management, including the reduction of the amount of packaging taken aboard its vessels, better storage and handling of waste and effective recycling and offloading practices. In particular, the program included the development of a special “green container” to carry waste aboard each of Matson’s ships.

With the use of this “green container,” trash generated on the ships is separated into the container to be recycled or turned into fuel at a co-generation plant. No solid waste, except for food scraps, is thrown overboard. To this day, Matson’s “Zero Solid Waste Discharge” is an industry-leading program that goes far beyond any legal environmental requirements. According to Ocean Conservancy estimates, Matson’s diligent use of this program during the past ten years has resulted in approximately 1,200 tons less trash dumped in the ocean.