Abstract: A system for processing sold municipal waste and nonhazardous commercial waste comprises a multi-level floating marine vessel tied up alongside a dock. The vessel has a processing deck for processing incoming solid waste materials into multiple lines of material-specific recycling bins arranged symmetrically with respect to the midships region of the vessel. The vessel has forward and aft overhangs on the processing deck level big enough to drop load non-recyclable waste at the end of each said line into refuse barges moored directly below said overhangs. The vessel preferably has a tipping deck located above and approximately coextensive with said processing deck on the vessel with at least one opening accessible to trucks from the dock for loading solid waste onto the vessel. A bailing and storage deck located below the processing deck on the vessel has an opening accessible to trucks from the dock for unloading recyclables.

Abstract: Solid waste is loaded onto a reclamation barge or ship in which it is processed into recyclable materials and nonrecyclable waste. Recyclable materials are stored separately in symmetrical holds on either side of a central incoming hold. Nonrecyclable waste is compacted and stored on the reclamation ship and transferred ultimately to an incineration ship which conducts incineration with ash encapsulation at a safe distance offshore.