When piles of trash, debris, old household chemicals or paint, furniture, and other items are left on empty lots, on the street-side or other places, it can be a nuisance to an entire neighborhood. This illegal dumping can also create many health and safety problems, such as rats and insects that can spread diseases to humans.

However, tireless work by the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) teams to beautify the island’s communities and keep them healthy has not gone unnoticed:

“The North Sound Gardens community was very appreciative for the dumpsters and the clean-up initiative went very well.

“The unit brought a few Subway platters for the team as we were aware of the long hours and early starting times. We also wanted to celebrate DEH’s responsiveness to so many other projects as well as community requests – we really just wanted to give a small token of our appreciation,” said George Shomari Solomon, Bodden Town Community Safety Officer.

Following another effort in George Town, Ms Dorline Welcome, Community Development Officer – Department of Children and Family Services said, “I am excited to express the gratitude shared by our seniors in Central Scranton. They were so thankful to DEH for the cleaning of their neighborhood.”

Department of Environmental Health Director, Mr Richard Simms, said “It is important to remember that we must all do our part to protect the environment. Clean air, water, soil and green spaces greatly enhance the quality of our lives as well as reduces mortality and morbidity. During the pandemic we all have received another important lesson in how important it is to take care of our environment. I am proud of our DEH staff who have worked tremendously hard to ensure the Cayman Islands reaps the benefits of a healthy environment”.

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) reminds the public that there is also a fine of up to $500 or six months imprisonment for littering.

To find out more about how to get rid of your unwanted household items and how to report illegal dumping in your community please visit www.deh.gov.ky.

Photos (by DEH)

Captions

1. MacLendon Drive in George Town before the DEH clean-up.

2. MacLendon Drive in George Town after the DEH clean-up.

3. The DEH team in action removing a derelict vehicle from Central Scranton