If you are onboard for more than a day or two, you will find yourself with a bag of trash that needs to be stored while you begin to fill the next one. One temptation is to toss it in the bow of the dinghy (garbage barge). A better solution is to find a spot in a cockpit locker that has ventilation that you can put a couple of bags until you can dispose of them.  You should also ensure that you have a dedicated garbage can in your galley area that can take a regular size kitchen catcher bag. You will produce no less garbage on your boat then you do in your house. Having miniature garbage containers is not helpful.

So many products (drinks) now come with recyclable containers, and it is prudent to have a place to put these. I have dedicated a locker under one of the salon berths for this purpose. I cut a 3”diameter hole in the side so that I can pop a can or bottle into it easily. When it is full it will fill one of those blue recyclable bags. I find that I empty it several times a season.

Another important tactic is to remove and dispose of as much packaging as possible before you put stores on the boat. You really need to be careful with this if you are traveling south as there are some bugs that love the glue that is used to stick cardboard boxes together and hold labels on cans. Cans should be pealed, and their contents noted in black marker. All cardboard should be disposed of. Have a collection of waterproof containers that you can store your dry goods in.