Residents who want to get rid of unwanted furniture, appliances and other large items will have the chance to do so for free when the Department of Environmental Health’s annual bulk waste collection gets under way next month.
The service will last for a week in each district and starts on 2 May in West Bay, before moving to George Town, Bodden Town and onto North Side and East End. The DEH crews will then head across to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Curbside collection
Residents are reminded to prepare, separate and place their bulk waste on the curb outside their homes before the week assigned for collection in their area, making sure it is in a place easily accessible to DEH collection crews and does not obstruct the roadway or drains.
Department of Environmental Health Director Richard Simms reminded residents that any bulk waste put out in an area other than the kerbside or after the announced dates will not be collected and will be considered illegal dumping.
“Do not miss your dates as this massive clean-up exercise will not be extended,” he said. “This is your opportunity to dispose of any unwanted bulky items. Just remember, we are coming to you. There is no need to place them in any other area rather than outside your homes. There are no designated sites for the placement of bulk waste”, he said.
Bulk waste refers to large items such as old furniture, mattresses, scrap metal, bicycles and household appliances that are not collected as part of the DEH’s weekly residential pick-up services. Metal and vegetative waste must be separated from other bulk waste items.
Meanwhile, construction and demolition debris, hazardous material, electronics and tyres will not be collected during the bulk waste removal activity and must instead be taken to the George Town Landfill or the landfill drop-off facility at the gate which remains accessible to the public and small vehicles 24 hours per day.
The DEH is also reminding residents that following the completion of the bulk waste collection, arrangements should be made to transport any additional waste to the landfill sites and that any illegal dumping and littering should be reported to the DEH or the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. This can result in a penalty of six months’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of $500, with fines set to rise sharply once new legislation comes into force.
Full schedule
Grand Cayman: West Bay, 4-9 May; George Town, 11-16 May; Bodden Town, 18-23 May; North Side/East End, 25-30 May.
Cayman Brac: East Side, 25-26 May; West Side, 27-28 May; South Side, 29 May.
Little Cayman: All locations, 28 May.
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Once a year bulk waste cleanup was changed from end-of-year to mid-year, but not increased.
This schedule was fine when it began and our population as less than 40k. With our present population, this service is now required at least twice annually.
When will DEH awaken to that reality?