DEH boss says he’s on top of garbage
George Town dump, a.k.a. Mount Trashmore
(CNS): The director of the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has outlined what he said were numerous improvements at the George Town landfill that have led to much better management of the dump and a reduction in fires and leaching. Roydell Carter told Finance Committee Thursday evening that a lot of changes had taken place and the area was not only better managed and safer but the aesthetics had improved as well. Crediting the new necessary and functioning equipment for the significant changes, he told legislators that the rubbish heap was being regularly covered.
Listing the improvements in operations at the increasingly controversial landfill site in George Town, Carter said the footprint for operations had also been reduced, so there was better control over the site.
Safety had been imporved by changes such as widening the road and creating a one-way system for the garbage trucks on the site. The DoEH boss added that covering the dump regularly and the improved drainage to control run off, along with compacting had helped in the management of the landfill and reduced the risk of fires on the actual rubbish pile.
With ten fire wells and fill now on site, the landfill staff are better able to react to emergencies, Carter said, but explained that the fire problems had been addressed with a new and fully functioning compactor, which was key to maximising space and reducing the air pockets that allow the gas to build up and ignite.
“We have had no major fires … for some time because of the better management of the site,” he noted.
Carter said the recycling area had also undergone a major clean-up, and operations to increase and improve that part of waste-management was well underway, now that the DEH has taken over the collection from the supermarkets at very short notice.
The situation regarding waste operations is still a long way from resolved, however, and Jennifer Ahearn, the chief officer in the health ministry, said many of the issues relating to the landfill would be addressed during the development of the integrated national waste management system.
Category: Environmental Health, Government Finance, Health, Politics
An American woman called I think Terry Kosinsky used to head the DEH in the nineties. She was massively qualified, articulate and experienced and told the MLAs in Finance Committee more than once what was needed for long term waste management issues. But they were so obsessed-BIG TIME- that she was a foreigner “holding Roydell back” that they got rid of her. Ah so it go.
After that there was a Canadian, Sean something, who was a world-recognised recycling expert. He was just ignored. In the end I think he spent more time moon-lighting as a consultant in North America than he did working for DEH because nobody here listened to him.
yea i remember her, brilliant lady. govt of the day just stood stagnant with what she recommended. In the end, she warned that the landfill was 5 yrs to full capacity and the recommended action fell on deaf ears as usual. She resigned in the end if memory serves right
Give the man a portable office trailer atop Mount Trashmore then this headline would make sense. Not much else regarding the GT dump makes any sense.
This heading is hilarious. He probably should be put ‘ON TOP OF THE GARBAGE”.
Fix the damn dump Alden!
Who in their right mind would troll the comment?
“Fix the damn dump Alden!”
It is Alden’s job, responsibility and a campaign pledge. But here we are 4 years later and nothing done to speak of.
Turn Mt. Trashmore into a tourist zip line attraction. Cruirse shippers could zip down from the heights of Mt. Trashmore, should provide revenue to this government.
The question that needs to be asked and should be asked> Mr Carter how long have you held that position? So it took you this long to realize that something needs to be done!!!!!
Another Govt worker laid back in his chair, collecting pay and letting everything crash around him.
Mr. Carter is trying but you can only work with what you have. The dump needs lots of money thrown at it. The operating budget is what it is but without capital investment it is difficult to improve the situation.
We had $60 Million being offered up from Dart to purchase it, cap it and start a waste management facility behind Midland Acres in BT, on the cusp of breakers.
Our Gov. declined the proposition, without even negotiating the proposal. Just straight up declined the offer. $60 Million….think about it.
I read the whole article and I believe the statement in the last paragraph says it all:
“The situation regarding waste operations is still a long way from resolved.”
After reading that headline, I’m sure glad that I am not one of his subordinates!
This is the second best headline of the week… after “Boobies…”
Typical CIG attempt to put a positive spin on what is a dreadful mess. Just kicking the can a bit farther down the road.
Most important is the official admission that there has been “leaching” from the dump, potentially one of the biggest threats to the environment – particularly North Sound – which Carter says has been reduced. But by how much. How bad was it previously – how bad is it now.
Are you sure he is on the top of the garbage?…
I looked through my bifocals but I dont see him…
Unless he is wearing his red pants and standing on the right side a little distance away from the truck…
Of course they are “On top of it” and getting a raise daily! LOL. Coming in Cayman soon, a new tourist attraction, “Climb Mount Trashmore.” Gas masks and haz mat gear provided.
Those are red cones. aesthetics had improved? still looks ugly and disgusting to me- I won’t bring my family for a picnic nearby
a bunch of rubbish!
BS. Dump BS. Collecting methane and other potentially hazard gases in one spot is no good, no matter how good you think it is. It’s a time bomb for all sorts of disasters. Utter BS being sold here, don’t know who’s buying it.
Covering up trash might improve visual, haptic, and olfactory aesthetics at the site but it doesn’t magically line under the heap and prevent leaching into the porous and soluble soil and rock beneath.
This is known in politics and pageants as “putting lipstick on a pig”.
Waste mismanagement is the central failure of every administration going back over a quarter century.
the heading is sooooooooo funny, makes for a good Friday laugh