Members of the Cayman Islands Beautification Task Force have expressed dismay and frustration over a lack of action by Cabinet, after submitting a report on suggestions to tackle Cayman’s litter problem.
Appearing on Radio Cayman’s ‘Talk Today’ show on Thursday, 23 Feb., chair Teresa Pitcairn said the review commenced in April shortly after the committee was re-established following a 10-year hiatus.
She explained the task force looked at related laws such as traffic, public health, litter, public lands, and the Penal Code, “where there are basic enforcement issues and rights”, adding that for the majority of these laws a standard penalty of $500 was applicable upon Summary Court conviction for littering.
“That report was submitted to the minister and that minister submitted it to Cabinet, so every minister knows who is responsible and what they are responsible for,” said Pitcairn, who did not name the Cabinet member to whom the review was submitted. However, the committee reports directly to Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Pitcairn added, “I don’t think I’ve even heard back from any ministry [to be] told that Cabinet received the report… or even as a courtesy to say 1. ‘We thank you for the report’, 2. ‘We recognise the importance of this’ and 3. ‘How can we help you?’”
Cayman’s more-than-25-year-old Litter Act (1997 Revision), which has been supplemented by the Public Health Act 2011 (Garbage and Refuse Disposal Regulations), does not assist with timely prosecutions of those suspected of littering.
In response to Pitcairn’s comments, Bryan, speaking a day later on Radio Cayman’s ‘For the Record’ talk show, accepted responsibility for failing to see the suggested legislation amended.
“We do have a lot of departments who want to do more but… the law doesn’t give them the strength to do more,” said Bryan, who also noted that cleanliness was an essential aspect of Cayman’s tourism product.
“I take full responsibility that me and my government need to do better,” he added.
Although the details of the report were not made public, Pitcairn said that her team uncovered several issues from which the growing litter problem stems and noted that these problems are most prevalent in Cayman’s less-affluent communities.
These issues include indifference to the surroundings, a lack of prioritisation of cleanliness, a lack of education about the harmful impacts to the environment and the potential penalties for littering, as well as a lack of proper deterrent sentences.
“One of the recommendations that we have was to ensure that all of these laws are aligned in terms of what is expected when you are in breach of this legislation,” said Pitcairn, who added that other suggestions include placing signs warning against littering along main roadways and public places.
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