Dumping continuing after bulk waste collections end

Garbage collectors have had to return five times to the same site in West Bay to remove household items and other large pieces of rubbish that have been dumped by the roadside, more than a month after the Department of Environment Health finished its seasonal bulk waste collection in the district.

The DEH completed its district-by-district collections last week, but people who missed the pick-up dates appear to be continuing to drop off their rubbish in areas where the bulk waste had already been collected.

In a statement issued on Monday, DEH officials reminded the public that dumping of waste at sites other than the George Town or the Sister Islands landfills is against the law.

It added that the penalty for illegal dumping and littering is six months imprisonment and a minimum fine of $500.

“Our annual Bulk Waste Collection in Grand Cayman ended more than one week ago and it has been over a month since the collection was completed in West Bay,” Michael Haworth, DEH assistant director of solid waste, said in the statement. “However, we are still seeing repeated illegal tipping at a site near the Ed Bush Stadium [d]espite messages clearly stating the end of these collections and DEH taping off this area.”

DEH Director Richard Simms said he has “zero tolerance” for the illegal bulk waste dumping which has forced the department to divert operations to clear this location for the fifth time.

“We have contacted the RCIPS for assistance in this matter and we will seek to prosecute any persons who commit these offences,” he said.

The DEH said, following the conclusion of the bulk waste collection in Grand Cayman, alternative arrangements should be made by individuals to transport their items to the George Town landfill, which operates from 7am to 5pm on weekdays, and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The landfill is closed on Sundays. However, the landfill drop-off facility at the gate will remain accessible for the public and small vehicles 24 hours a day.