‘The Beast’ gobbles trees, churns out free mulch

The DEH mulching machine, The Beast

(CNS): Last Saturday more than 1,800 trees were fed into the Department of Environmental Health’s wood-grinding machine, nicknamed ‘The Beast’, which churned out around 60 cubic yards of free mulch for local gardeners. One of the few consistent recycling efforts by the DEH, the scheme relies on members of the public to put their used Christmas trees into designated skips to keep them out of the growing George Town landfill.

DEH Recycling Foreman Angello Roye said he was very happy to see the level of engagement by the public, and noted that the number of people who take advantage of the recycling programme and the free mulch increases every year.

The department’s new industrial wood-grinding machine chewed up trees to create around two and a half dump truck loads of mulch, which was given away free to those who turned up Saturday. However, this pales in comparison to the amount of garden waste still being taken to the landfill on a regular basis.

The premier has stated for the past twelve months that his government is starting a composting programme ahead of the full implementation of a national waste-management strategy. But there is still no sign of the programme, which would not only help reduce the amount of natural waste being sent to the dump but would also address the local soil challenges faced by gardeners, farmers and developers across the islands.