Officials warn of jail time for littering

Officials from the department that deals with rubbish in the Cayman Islands warn that people who toss their trash on the ground or on beaches could face jail time. 

Due to the increased amounts of litter seen recently on beaches and picnic spots, the Department of Environmental Health reminded the public this week that littering is illegal and offenders may be prosecuted. 

Offenders can be fined up to $500 or imprisonment for six months for littering in a public place, cites the Cayman Islands Litter Law. 

An informal check of Compass court reports indicates that very few people have come before the courts for littering. Police statistics on prosecutions for littering were not immediately available, as police said they do not include littering reports in their quarterly statistics.  

The Department of Environmental Health’s public education and promotions officer Tanya Johnson said she did not know of any cases that had been brought before a judge involving littering charges. 

The law defines litter as anything, including dust, dirt, oddments, leavings, waste paper, cigarette ends, bottles (whether empty or not), derelict vehicles, and any dead animal or carrion. 

According to the Department of Environmental Health, frequently adding to the litter problem are people who throw garbage from moving vehicles and staff of some landscape companies who blow gardening waste onto the streets instead of collecting and bagging it. 

“The DEH has noticed an increase in litter along the beaches and public areas. We are asking for assistance from the public in keeping these areas clean by collecting and disposing of waste after using these areas,” said Environmental Health Director Roydell Carter, adding that every member of the public can do his or her part, including reporting littering to the police. 

Chamber of Commerce CEO Wil Pineau said littering spoils the beauty of the islands and offenders should be prosecuted.  

“Keeping Cayman clean and green is everyone’s responsibility. Littering and illegal dumping are unacceptable and irresponsible practices that tarnish the beauty of our islands for our visitors and residents,” he said.  

Mr. Pineau added, “All efforts should be taken to report and then to prosecute violators.”  

He said the Chamber of Commerce had organized and sponsored annual volunteer community cleanup campaigns, purchased hundreds of public trash receptacles and issued an environmental pledge for residents and businesses to keep Cayman clean.  

The Chamber plans two cleanups this year – one for Earth Day on Saturday, April 12, and for the first time, a pre-Christmas cleanup on Saturday, Nov. 29.  

“All businesses and residents are encouraged to participate in a clean-up campaign and to report littering and illegal dump sites to the Department of Environmental Health. By raising public awareness about this problem, we can keep our islands clean and green for everyone to enjoy,” Mr. Pineau said.