Pledge to recycle in celebration of Earth Day as part of your commitment to the Environment. April 22nd is designated Earth Day and worldwide, people are being encouraged to take part in any activity that benefits Planet Earth. Here in the Cayman Islands, the Ministry of Health, Sports, Youth & Culture (HSY&C) and the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) are urging everyone to practice recycling.

Honourable Osbourne Bodden, the Minister responsible for Environmental Health, is a keen advocate for recycling.  Minister Bodden noted:

“Recycling is one of the key elements of responsible waste management.  Recycling, along with other initiatives involving the reduction, reuse and recovery of waste products, enables every one of us in the Cayman Islands to do our part to ensure better waste management for our islands.”

DEH Director Mr Roydell Carter is encouraging everyone in the Cayman Islands to support the many “Go Green” initiatives and activities being planned to celebrate Earth Day in April. Simple things such as recycling, placing litter in receptacles provided in public spaces, and neighbourhood clean-ups are some of the things that everyone can do to help take care of the environment in the Cayman Islands.

Recycling entails collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be discarded. In Cayman, the DEH continues to recycle aluminum cans, used motor oil, used cooking oil, scrap metals, and batteries, as well as natural Christmas trees. Additionally, several private companies are involved in recycling and composting efforts, therefore there are many opportunities for everyone to recycle today in the Cayman Islands.

“Many residents and visitors are supportive of our current recycling programme,” said DEH Director Roydell Carter. “The department has received tremendous cooperation and we have recently expanded to recycling small batteries.”

The recycling process offers several benefits:

•          Conserves energy since it requires less to produce new products from recycled materials.

•          Saves natural resources that are sometimes irreplaceable.

•          Keeps the environment cleaner since there is less waste caused by pollution.

•          Reduces the amount of garbage sent to the landfill.

•          Reduces carbon foot print.

•          Allows the public to play their part in helping save the environment.

One meaningful and encouraging statistic: recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.  This saving is equivalent to a half-gallon of gasoline according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Residents can join the recycling effort by placing used motor oil in clean plastic containers and taking them to the designated landfill drop-off area; dropping off used cans at the big DEH blue bins marked ”aluminium cans only” located at all major supermarkets, and schools, and  using the private enterprise recycling efforts for their plastic and glass refuse. Smaller DEH blue recycling containers are located at all public parks and West Bay Road condominiums.

Recycling supporters can start a recycling programme at work or school, as well as encourage friends and neighbors to recycle.

The locations of the Aluminum can collection bins are located at the following sites:

•          West Bay–Foster’s Republix

•          Seven Mile Beach WB–Foster’s at the Strand (behind the beauty salon)

•          George Town–St Ignatius School

•          George Town–Foster’s at the Airport Centre

•          George Town—Government Administration Building

•          Prospect Area GT–Hurley’s Grand Harbour

•          Savannah/Bodden Town–Foster’s Countryside (behind the beauty salon)

•          North Side–North Side Civic Centre

•          East End – East End Primary School

•          All public parks

•          All private and public schools

•          West Bay Road condominiums

In addition, receptacles for plastics and glass provided by private recycling companies are located at some of the supermarkets listed above, while glass and aluminum receptacles are available at Camana Bay.

For further information on recycling, contact Tania Johnson at 743-5952 or through email at [email protected] or visiting the DEH website at www.deh.gov.ky