A delay in the delivery of new garbage trucks, in part due to the severe weather in the United States, has impacted garbage collections in the Cayman Islands.
The Department of Environmental Health, which runs Cayman’s solid waste services, has hired a private company to help pick up rubbish in Grand Cayman as it awaits the new vehicles and as some of its existing trucks continue to undergo repairs.
Mechanical issues with a number of garbage collection trucks have led to significant delays in the collection of commercial and residential garbage, the department stated.
Two new residential garbage trucks purchased last year are due to arrive on island at the end of this month and are anticipated to alleviate some of the collection problems.
In a statement released Wednesday, the department apologized to its customers for delays in garbage collection services, especially the commercial service.
“There are still a number of mechanical issues with the fleet of vehicles and we are working closely with the Department of Vehicles and Equipment Services to have the trucks operational and back in service as soon as possible.
“We would like to make the public aware that the revised estimated time for delivery of the two new residential garbage trucks purchased during the 2012-2013 fiscal year, is Jan. 31, 2014. This is the result of some delays and in part due to the severe weather conditions in the United States of America,” the department said.
While waiting on the arrival of the new vehicles and while other trucks are undergoing repairs, the environmental health department is working with a private company to pick up all uncollected garbage. The department said all outstanding garbage collections should be carried out this week.
Residential customers will continue to receive garbage collection service once per week, the department said.
“All commercial customers will continue to see improvements with waste collections from their premises this week, especially after the uncollected waste has been removed,” said Roydell Carter, director of the Department of Environmental Health.
“As of Thursday this week, it is anticipated that commercial services will be more in line with the ‘normal’ customer requirements as the DEH continues to work with the private sector, while striving to have our own vehicles back into operation,” Mr Carter added.
The department received funding in this year’s budget for two new front-loader garbage trucks, two additional residential rear-loading trucks and two new roll-on/roll-off trucks.
Mr. Carter said his department and the Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services are “actively working on the procurement process to enable the timely purchase and delivery of these vehicles, which will significantly improve the overall garbage collection services.”
Schedule
Customers are encouraged to only place their waste by the roadside for collection based on the following schedule:
Mondays: From Crystal Harbour/Governor’s Harbour to West Bay inclusive of the side roads.
Tuesdays: From Safe Haven/West Bay Road, including Harbour Heights to South Church Street, Walkers Road, Smith Road, Templeton Pine Lake area, Shedden Road, North Sound Road, Breezy Way, Eastern Avenue, Mary Street, Rock Hole, plus the side roads.
Wednesdays: From Windsor Park, South Sound Road, Crewe Road, Bobby Thompson Way, Half Way Pond, Randyke Gardens, Prospect Point Road, the entire Prospect area, including Patrick’s Island and the side roads.
Thursdays: From the junction of Shamrock Road/Prospect Point Road to Will T. Drive in Bodden Town, including Spotts, homes off the East-West Arterial, plus the Savannah/Newlands area and the side roads.
Fridays: From Will T. Drive eastward, inclusive of Northward, Bodden Town, East End, North Side and the side roads.
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