George Town, Cayman Islands – 1 August, 2023) A new campaign to crackdown on littering and remind residents about its impact on the environment has been launched by the Beautification Task Force (BTF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Ports (MOTP)

Renowned for its natural beauty and pristine environment, the Cayman Islands is facing an increasing challenge from littering and illegal dumping that is unsightly, hazardous to health and potentially damaging to the Islands reputation as a clean and well-maintained tourism destination.   

In response to these pressing concerns the Beautification Task Force is spearheading a public education campaign to combat the rising occurrence of littering and illegal dumping and foster a stronger sense of accountability and community responsibility.

“Littering is a serious concern that is placing an increasing burden on society, both financially and environmentally,” said Minister for Tourism, Hon. Kenneth Bryan. “This campaign has my fullest support and aims to reduce littering by preventing, detecting and deterring this type of anti-social behavior. I hope that all persons who live and work in the Cayman Islands, as well as those who visit our shores will take note and be encouraged to act responsibly in keeping our islands clean.” 

The nationwide campaign, which runs from 1 August to 31 October 2023, utilises a diverse range of media outlets such as radio, newspapers, digital advertising, social media platforms, bus shelter advertisements and strategically placed roadside signs. By leveraging the strengths of each medium, the campaign aims to reach the widest possible audience, conveying the message that littering is a crime and encouraging all members of the community to join the call to action by being a ‘part of the solution not the pollution’. 

“It is really important that we restore a sense of pride in our islands and protect our beautiful country, not only for ourselves but for future generations,” said Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden, who has delegated responsibility from Minister Bryan for overseeing the Beautification Task Force. “I have been particularly alarmed by the increase in abandoned vehicles, but messy properties and illegally dumped household items also give the impression that this type of behavior is acceptable to residents, and the longer it is allowed to continue conveys that there is no momentum towards change or improvement. That is not the case,” she said.

The Chair of the Beautification Task Force, Theresa Pitcairn, expounded on those sentiments saying, “Through this campaign, the Ministry and the BTF are reminding citizens and residents of their collective responsibility in maintaining the cleanliness of the Cayman Islands. Awareness of the environmental impact of littering has been paired with the legal consequences under the Litter Act (1997 Revision), emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior and the penalties for those who fail to comply.” 

The Ministry of Tourism & Ports and the Beautification Task Force invite all residents and visitors to actively participate in the campaign by sharing the messages discouraging littering, participating in any community clean-up efforts and spreading awareness about the campaign’s purpose.

“Together, let us stand as guardians of these breathtaking islands, working hand-in-hand to combat littering and illegal dumping and to safeguard the Cayman Islands’ natural beauty for generations to come, said PS Bodden.

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