For the convenience of the public, the Ministry of Health has today released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to supplement the Strategic Outline Case for the Cayman Islands Integrated Solid Waste Management System, which it published last month.

Officials believe the easy-to-digest FAQs will help the public find easy answers to many of their questions about the project.

The document contains basic information about the direction of solid waste management in the Cayman Islands, such as Government’s goals and objectives, the purpose of the strategic outline case, as well as benefits of the solid waste management project along with other useful details.

Government is presently preparing a request for proposals for a consultant to develop the country’s first national solid waste management strategy, as well as an outline business case (OBC) for an integrated solid waste management system.

In the process it expects to undertake comprehensive public consultations. The first will be when the time comes to develop the national solid waste management strategy, and again when the outline business case is developed. Until then, Minister of Health Hon Osbourne Bodden and his Ministry will continue to issue regular updates throughout the process.

Mr Bodden adds that: “These FAQs aim to provide readily accessible, detailed information to readers and to keep the public engaged in this vital process.”

For a copy of the SOC and its accompanying FAQs, visit www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky

Strategic outline case for the integrated solid waste management system (iswms)

Frequent Answers to Questions: FAQ’s

What is a Strategic Outline Case (SOC)?

The Strategic Outline Case is an official document that provides a situational analysis and background information before a major project is undertaken by the Cayman Islands Government (CIG). The SOC frames the strategic context of the proposed investment and provides stakeholders with an early indication of what is being considered in moving forward with the project.

What is the purpose of the Strategic Outline Case?

The purpose of the SOC is to inform all stakeholders about the relevant facts surrounding a particular project. It is one of the first steps in the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) process.

What is Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) and why do we have to have a Strategic Outline

Case done on our waste management problem?

In 2011, the Cayman Islands Government and the United Kingdom Government reaffirmed their commitment to work in partnership and to respect the rights and responsibilities specified in the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) and the revised Public Management and Finance Law (PMFL).

The FFR ensures effective medium-term planning, to ensure that the full impact of fiscal decisions is understood, by: putting value for money considerations at the heart of the decision making process, the effective management of risk, and delivering improved accountability in all public sector operations.

There are five key stages that must be undertaken by the Cayman Islands Government in the planning, development and execution of a project of the size and scope of a national waste management system. These stages are: 1 – appraisal and business case; 2 – procurement; 3 – contract management; 4 – delivery; and 5 – evaluation. The SOC is required in the first stage.

The Strategic Outline Case refers to an “Integrated Solid Waste Management System” (ISWMS), what exactly is that?

According to United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP),” Integrated Solid Waste Management refers to the strategic approach to sustainable solid wastes covering all sources and aspects, covering generation, transfer, sorting, treatment, recovery and disposal in an integrated manner, with an emphasis on maximising resource use efficiency”.

Refer to section 1.1 page 3 of the SOC.

What are the Cayman Islands Government’s goals with this project?

The first goal is to develop a National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) for the Cayman Islands.

The second goal is to identify and implement an Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS)

that is based on the agreed National Waste Management Strategy. Refer to section 1.2 pages 3 – 4 of the SOC.

Why do the Cayman Islands need a National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS)?

As of May 2014, there is no national strategy or policy for the management of the solid waste in the Cayman Islands.   A National Waste Management Strategy will align actions and limited resources toward achievement of short, mid and long-term solid waste management goals.

Refer to Section 1.4 page 5 of the SOC.

What is the difference between the NWMS and the ISWMS?

The National Waste Management Strategy will be the official plan that guides government policy and decision making, for approximately the next 50 years, in the area of waste management.

The Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS) is how waste will be managed by the Cayman Islands Government over the next approximately 50 years. The system selected will in keeping with the goals and objectives of the National Waste Management Strategy.

What is the main objective of the ISWMS?

The main objective is to have a national system in place that will incorporate the Waste Hierarchy as outlined below in the following diagram:-

Refer to 2.1 on page 6 of the SOC.

What international framework shall guide the development of the ISWMS?

As an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands’ NWMS will be guided by the Waste Framework Directive of the European Commission (directive 2008/98/ED) which sets out the basic concepts, definitions and principles related to waste management. Waste legislation and policy of the EU Member states, such as the United Kingdom, shall apply as priority under the following waste management hierarchy outlined in the directive: prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal.

What additional benefits would the ISWMS have for the Cayman Islands?

Establishment of a modern, smart infrastructure;

A culture of good governance which brings this in line with International best practise and meets all requirements under the Public Management and Finance Law (PMFL);

Sustainable development in all three islands with sensitivity to the unique characteristics of

each island; and

Conservation of the Cayman Islands’ biological diversity and ecologically sustainable development.

 

What principles will be followed by the ISWMS?

Sustainable Management

Waste Hierarchy

Polluter / Waste Generator Pays Concept

Environmental Considerations

Climate Change

Generation Proximity

Incorporate Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) Utilise Waste as an Energy Resource

Adopt a Collaborative Approach

Inclusive of residents, Government, NGO’s and private sector Develop Little Cayman as a “zero solid waste” disposal island. Stakeholders will be actively engaged in the process.

 

What steps are necessary by the Cayman Islands Government for it to achieve the ISWMS?

Pre Procurement Stage: Preparation of a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) RFP for Procurement of Consultants

Preparation of a National Waste Management Strategy Document and the Outline Business

Case (OBC)

Drafting of legislation

Tendering Process

Contract & Performance Management – Implementation Phase / Project Delivery

Operations – Performance Management. Refer to Section 4.1 pages 15 – 16 of the SOC.

Where can the public obtain further information about the Strategic Outline Case?

The public can obtain further information by doing the following:-

 

•Visiting the Ministry of Health, Sports, Youth & Culture website at www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky

•Emailing the Ministry of Health at h&[email protected]

•Telephoning (345) 244-2377

•Following the Department of Environment Health (DEH) through Social Media from July, 2014.

 

CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC OUTLINE CASE

Project title: Integrated Solid Waste Management System Sponsoring Ministry: Minister of Health, Sports, Youth & Culture Senior Responsible Officer: Jennifer Ahearn

 

Section 1: Project Overview

1.1       Policy directive

On 6th December 2013, the Cayman Islands Government (hereafter referred to as CIG) issued a policy directive1for the development of a Comprehensive Solid Waste Disposal Management System for all three islands.

The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), in addressing global waste initiatives, uses the nomenclature: Integrated Solid Waste Management. Integrated Solid Waste Management refers to the strategic approach to sustainable solid wastes covering all sources and aspects, covering generation, transfer, sorting, treatment, recovery and disposal in an integrated manner, with an emphasis on maximising resource use efficiency.

Accordingly, using the same nomenclature, an Integrated Solid Waste Management (hereafter referred to as “ISWMS”) Steering Committee2 was convened in January 2014 and, along with an ISWMS Technical Sub-Committee, the policy directive was used to form the basis for this strategic outline case (SOC) for the project.

1.2       Project Objectives

The main objectives of the project are to:

1 Develop a solid waste strategy for the Cayman Islands for the next 50 years which:

a.   Is guided by the concepts embodied in the internationally recognized and accepted

Waste Hierarchy and the principles outlined in Section 2.2;

b. takes account of input from all key stakeholders;

c, . includes provision for changing waste quantities due to natural disasters and other unforeseen circumstances;

d.   minimises environmental and public health risks e.g. groundwater   pollution,   air pollution, odours ,noise, fires, pests, dust and other pollutants and amenity issues;

e.   develops a local regulatory framework which meets internationally recognised environmental standards and guide lines; and

f. identifies, characterises and addresses the environmental risks and impacts resulting from current solid waste management practices.

 

2 Identify and Implement an ISWMS that is based on the nationally agreed Strategy

1.3 Project Background

The Cayman Islands: location and population

The Cayman Islands are located in the western Caribbean Sea. The three islands are situated about 480 miles (770 km) south of Miami,150 miles (240 km) south of Cuba, and 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Jamaica. Grand Cayman is the largest and most populated, with an area of 76 square miles (197 km 2. The two Sister Islands of Cayman Brae and little Cayman are located about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of Grand Cayman and have areas of 14 square miles (36 km2) and 10 square miles (25.9 km2) respectively. Each island has its own landfill.

The estimated resident population of the Cayman Islands is 56,732 (From the Economic and Statistics Office (ESO) 2012 labour Force Survey report). The annual population of the Cayman Islands fluctuates from the permanent resident level due to the high number of visitors to the islands. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (DOT) 2013 tourism numbers are as follows: 345,387 for stay over visitors (air arrivals) and 1,375,872 for cruise arrivals. The major cruise lines projections for cruise arrivals in the year 2014 is 1.8M, and in the year 2015 is 2.1M.

1.4 Current solid waste management Infrastructure at the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) The DEH’s current infrastructure consists of three (3) landfills, one on each island; two (2) medical waste incinerators, one (1) air curtain incinerator, one (1) welding and maintenance area, one (1) vehicle washing bay, and a recycling I processing area for selected recyclables. Grand Cayman’s landfill receives the largest quantity of waste, annually.   DEH is also responsible for the collection of solid waste in all three islands.

There is one landfill on Grand Cayman that receives approximately 225 short tons per day (82,125 short tons per annum) of all types of new solid waste and recyclable products. This includes about 120 short tons per day (43,800 short tons per annum) of new municipal solid waste (MSW).

The Sister Islands generate a combined 3,220 short tons of solid waste on an annual basis. Cayman Brae is approximately 2,500 short tons per year and little Cayman is approximately 720 short tons per year.

The DEH’s operational revenues are obtained from funds received through “up-front” solid waste management fees on imported goods, vehicles and tires disposal fees, commercial container servicing and rental fees, and funds allocated by core Government. All operational expenses are paid from these revenue sources. There are no franchise collection contracts or service agreements in existence with the DEH. Most commercial and residential garbage collection is undertaken by the DEH along with some private haulers. Currently, no tipping fees are charged for landfill disposal.   Solid waste that is not recycled or separated is disposed of or managed onsite at the DEH’s landfills. There are issues with the reliability of the existing equipment at the GT landfill, with several key pieces of equipment in need of repair or replacement.

Cayman Islands policy for solid waste management is driven by the Public Health Law and Regulations as well as components of other laws to protect the environment and public health. There is no separate national policy, law or regulations for the management of the solid waste in the Cayman Islands other than what is included in the general Public Health Law. There is a need for a national strategy for solid waste management in relation to the environment, public health and the economy. Comprehensive legislation is required to support the strategy and to regulate the solid waste industry.

1.5 Previous studies, proposals and reports

Previously, various studies, proposals and reports have been undertaken 4 to address various aspects of solid waste management. A previous Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in 2010 that sought a comprehensive solid waste management system, which included waste to energy technology. No contract was awarded as a result of that RFP and it appears as though no objective business case that considered financial, technical and environmental aspects has been carried out to date.

In 2011 CIG received a proposal from a private developer to close the George Town Landfill and to develop a new waste management system in Bodden Town. This project was the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with public consultation on the draft Environmental Statement (which is the written output of the EIA) in April 2013. The new CIG, elected in May 2013, took a policy decision not to pursue the private developer’s initiative of 2011.

1.6 An overview of objectives

The country’s landfills have reached a critical point at which they need to be addressed. The CIG urgently needs to move forward with a process to identify ISWMS to address the country’s needs in a sustainable manner.

The CIG and DEH’s goal is to provide the Cayman Islands with a cost-effective ISWMS.

The strategic aims and policy objectives, along with project objectives, are fully outlined in Section 2.

1.7 Procurement overview

CIG does not have the ability to undertake conventional borrowing, therefore, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement is likely. Private sector partner(s) will be identified via a competitive procurement process. In 2012 the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) was incorporated into the Public Management and Finance Law (PMFL). The FFR states that Projects with a life cycle value above Cl $10M and for those where the Pubic Private Partnerships (PPPs) or any other form of alternative financing is used, the CIG will retain independent accounting, legal, financial, economic, environmental, and other technical advice to ensure value for money.   All projects now require an objective business case to be prepared which considers technical and financial aspects.

EDITOR

The rest of this document that is 40 pages long can be downloaded at: http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1142,8020872&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL