Cayman: Securing our garbage is important
From Department of Central Health
Grand Cayman, October 15, 2021 – The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is encouraging residents to examine their garbage enclosures and ensure they are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner to prevent animals from accessing them.
“One man’s trash can be an animal’s treasure! It has been brought to our attention that inadequate garbage enclosures are attracting some of our local animals like chickens and dogs. This situation is also contributing to unsanitary conditions. We all need to remember that it’s our responsibility as individuals to secure our garbage. Always keep in mind that doing the right thing goes a long way in improving our own neighbourhoods”, says Mr. Richard Simms, Director of the Department of Environmental Health.
Here are some tips to avoid any garbage exposure:
1. Ensure adequate number of garbage bins: choose the right amount of bins and do not over filled
2. Safeguard proper bin covers and secure them: If your lid doesn’t lock in place, or you want to add some extra layers of security, consider tying down the trash can lid with a bungee cord.
3. Ensure suitable enclosure of garbage bins.
All residents are reminded that garbage containers must be placed in front of premises or on the street, immediately beside the property. Most be located at ground level or above and must not block traffic.
Ultimately it is the property owner’s responsibilities, under the Public Health Act 2002 revision, to ensure that garbage enclosures are kept in a clean and sanitary manner and that adequate and appropriate bins are used. Residents should strive to keep the enclosure and surroundings clean, and to ensure that garbage bags (avoid using supermarket plastic bags) are placed in a bin for collection. Garbage enclosures should be built according to DEH guidelines and bins can be purchased from local vendors or hardware stores on the islands.
The department appreciates and thanks residents who have been doing their part in assisting the department’s efforts to keep the Islands clean.
Additional information is available from the DEH at 949-6696. Individuals may also send an email to [email protected], or visit the DEH’s website at www.deh.gov.ky or message its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Department-of-Environmental-Health-Cayman-Islands-Government-335107266641072
Update the law to make it mandatory for ALL commercial premises AND multi-unit residential buildings with over 3 units to utilise a skip. Bins should not be allowed in any of these situations, regardless of when they were constructed.
DEH needs to remove themselves from the skip rental & emptying business. Let the efficient private sector deal with this.