Fly-tippers leave rubbish by ‘No Littering’ signs

| 02/12/2021 | 70 Comments
Illegal Dumping at Ed Bush Sport Complex

(CNS): The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has been tackling a surge of illegal dumping in West Bay and Newlands, officials have said. There have been huge piles of bulk items and construction material dumped at the Ed Bush Sport Complex, right next to clear signs that forbid this and list the penalties for doing so.

Fly-tipping has also happened along the median of the Newlands Bypass, where there was no indication that this was a temporary dumpsite. But clearing the large amount of randomly dumped bulk waste is straining the department’s already stretched resources.

“We have been forced to redirect resources to clear these sites on numerous occasions, despite several signs warning people about the penalty for illegal dumping,” said DEH Director Richard Simms.

He noted that the recently concluded bulk waste collection by the DEH was a kerbside exercise and residents were never advised of temporary debris sites. “Let’s not make more excuses,” he said. “It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the environment clean and stop littering.”

Dumping waste at sites other than the George Town or the Sister Islands landfills is against the law. The penalty for illegal dumping and littering can result in six months imprisonment and a minimum fine of $500. This unlawful practice should be reported to the DEH or the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

The George Town Landfill operates from 7am to 5pm on weekdays, until 1pm on Saturday. The landfill drop-off facility at the gate is accessible to the public and small vehicles 24 hours per day.

For more information contact the DEH at 949-6696 or email dehcustomerservice@gov.ky.


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Category: Environmental Health, Health

Comments (70)

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  1. Lucie says:

    Thank you to the DEH for their hard work in tackling illegal dumping. Everyone should do their part in keeping our environment clean! any illegal dumping.

  2. Anonymous says:

    On Cayman Brac I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen landowners dump rubbish, trash, construction debris, old tires, discarded appliances, pallets and other waste items to help fill their lots.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Stop blaming countries where people are from and stop being racist,every country have good and bad apples,god made every one.please be nice and stop pointing fingers.we love every one who respect our island.blessing to one and all.

  4. Anonymous says:

    No one follows laws here because they are never enforced

  5. Anonymous says:

    15 years ago my landlord instructed his gardener to dig a hole in the empty lot next door to dispose of several rusty partially filled paint cans.
    He also frequently burned trash in the far corner of his lot. In the winter when you could have had your windows open but for the rancid smoke smell…

    As an expat, I keep my head down and my mouth shut for fear of getting expelled for my efforts.
    Next rollover I’m headed back up North to god’s country.
    Good luck trying to remain green (well what’s left of it) when your own people trash their own small country.

    • Anonymous says:

      On Cayman Brac illegal burning is common and the majority of residents burn small amounts when wind conditions are minimal in a considerate manner. However, the blatant neglect of the law by burning large plots in residential areas has gotten out of hand. Masks don’t help.

      • Anonymous says:

        My Jamaica neighbor does the same thing it’s putrid smell everywhere

      • Anonymous says:

        Whether it’s small or large it’s a problem. In Cayman Brac, the Caymanians hire the landscaping companies to clear the land to avoid going through planning. As you are crossing, the smoke feels your car and suffocates you plus stink up your clothes and car. I’m tired of it. There should be no burning signs everywhere. Also, warnings on what trees to not plant and which trees to not destroy. People are coming here destroying sea grape trees and other good trees that protect the environment and planting invasive species.

        • Anonymous says:

          One would think that sound planning policy would provide for tree/flora preservation but most building lots on Cayman Brac are prepped by clearing the land and leaving not one lone twig standing. On waterfront lots owners intending to build all-too-often continue the eco-havoc by bulldozing off and removing the coral rock from a beach ridge building site and lowering the level of the land, thus making it more susceptible to over-topping and erosion of the beach ridge and flooding of people’s land inland of those lots. In addition, the bulldozing of protected species is common. Planning and conservation policy on Cayman Brac is a pathetic joke. The Development Control Board for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (DCB) can set their own planning criteria and can do much to protect the environment but are too complacent to do much more than show up for DCB meetings.

    • Angus says:

      The private sector is out of control. Thank God for CIG

  6. Anonymous says:

    Jamaicans

    • Anonymous says:

      Well said 11.32 .
      They are turning Cayman into the hole they escaped from.

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s complete BS and you know it. Most of the issues are to do with a lack of education, not nationality. A Jamaican is no more likely to dump trash than a caymanian, or a Brit or a Filipino.

  7. Anonymous says:

    As a Jamaican born who grew up in Cayman for the majority of their lives, I’m noticing how the side of the roads seem to be accumulating garbage and has turned into the dumping ground for lazy people who don’t feel a part of the community they live in.

    I’ve seen all nationalities do this, from Caymanian, Jamaican, British, Philippino, African, Indian… It doesn’t seem to be a problem of nationality but more an issue of less and less people feel that they are part of a community. Whether it be because they are only here to get money temporarily and leave, or its that “someone else will clean it up”, less people are concerned with where they live.

    I think all people, not just government, should think about how we can instill a sense of community with the people on the island so that everyone desires to help out. We all know any cameras installed will never work, no law or signs will prevent it because the issue is from within people and not the deterrents.

    • Anonymous says:

      “I’ve seen all nationalities do this, from Caymanian, Jamaican, British, Philippino, African, Indian…” you’ve witnessed all those nationalities fly tipping? I mean I’ve seen garbage dumped but I’ve never seen anyone actually do it. Not only have you seen people do it at least 6 times but you can tell they’re all from different countries. Amazing. What are the chances? Complete BS.

    • Anonymous says:

      03 @ 9:51 am… and you’ve seen so many incidents of fly tipping and not said anything or reported someone? No even once? How come you were always in “the area” to observe these events?. I haven’t laid eyes on anyone actually in the act. What are the chances? Hmmmm.

    • Anonymous says:

      Suggest you start with your countrymen who consider all land to be “bush” and therefore available to receive their garbage.

  8. trudy says:

    It’s a disgrace that we have so many lazy people on this island ”sheep” ”oo well he dump deh so i go dump deh too” it hurts me because I know most of the dumping and trash around the islands are my local people and other Caribbean countries people. the issue goes further than this traditional Christmas dumping. During my work lunch break or sometimes on weekends, i stop by Spotts dock to have my lunch or other sea view sits and i have many times witnessed people just opening their car doors and dumping the ”Popeys, Wendy ect ect ” right on the ground like filthy animals. I have reported a few but nothing gets done.By the Newlands dump site just last week, 3 cars where dumping while the DEH was there, nothing was done. Why do we condone this lazy behavior

    • Anonymous says:

      “Why do we condone this lazy behavior?” Because it is Cayman! And because Caymanian officials are lazy? And because the electorate elects officials who are lazy when it comes to actual governance. Look in a mirror. And now more lazy folks will deny the truth of this.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Establish some temporary cameras to monitor the site and then prosecute the offenders to the full extent possible. The message will get around quickly.

  10. Anonymous says:

    From comments here it seems something that needs doing, is always for someone else to do. No one appears willing to do anything themselves. You have no sense if community, no pride in your surroundings.

    Why has no one reported the fly tippers ? Is there no sense in the community that dumping trash is the wrong thing to do ? The police and the government can’t watch every street corner and empty lot, and if the community doesn’t care, then why should anyone else ? Get off your behind and start community action.

  11. Anonymous says:

    I passed the Newlands site yesterday whilst a truck was dumping there rubbish.
    A DEH vehicle and two persons were there and didn’t
    seem to be bothered about the truck.

  12. Anonymous says:

    I never dumped anything on the pile but honestly I thought the pile in Newlands was an organized thing by DEH that happens every year. It’s been that way as far back as I remember. They pick it up and that’s it. And if you think about it, it actually made DEH’s job a little easier. I don’t know that it’s a bad idea.

    • Anonymous says:

      TCAP – The Crap’s Always Panton

      His constituency 😂😂😂

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah they do it every year as part of the Christmas clean up. People go a tad far though with the junk they put there. There was a 1996 Honda Civic dumped there two weeks ago. It’s for household waste, people (mainly Jamaicans) are taking the p!ss.

    • Anonymous says:

      Same thing with corners of Will T and Beach Bay Rd with Shamrock.

  13. Anonymous says:

    I ❤️Cayman!

    • anthony says:

      If the Lazy Ass West Bay police would actually come out and Patrol the Streets, then maybe this would Stop.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Surveillance technology is so advanced these days, but Cayman is lagging behind. Why’s that?

  15. Anonymous says:

    Set up 1 high res motion activated camera with a memory card capable of storing several hours of video. Check the location every morning. On the morning after the dumping occurs, pull the memory card, identify and prosecute the offender(s).
    Without enforcement this will likely never stop. It is the same with many offences.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Until we get regular waste disposal service I’ll flytip to my hearts content. Plus having junk all in one place should make it easier for DEH to find.

  17. Anonymous says:

    There’s some disgustingly lazy people on this rock.

    Newlands bypass has a very sharp CCTV system there, shouldn’t be too hard to see who dumped stuff.

    • Anonymous says:

      The same signs on the East seem to encourage people to dump all manner of rubbish and the beaches are littered with rubbish in that area daily. For such a beautiful place, there a lot of people who have zero concern for the environment and the future of this lovely place

  18. Anonymous says:

    Fix the damn dump!

  19. Anonymous says:

    When was the last time someone was charged with, found guilty of, and assigned the fees associated with this crime, as posted on that sign?

    Asking for a friend.

    That sign is a polite request, with no enforcement behind it, and everybody knows it.

    Rules are not laws until they are enforced.

    • Anonymous says:

      People breaking laws all the time, ibcluding various politicians, and nibidy gets charged, fined or then ckeared while innocent people are being threatened wuth fines if they are not in when census people say they knock on door. Sad way to go Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        You guys can stay polite. I won’t The refusal (it is no longer just a failure) of the authorities to effectively enforce any laws around here for two decades is a national disgrace. Those responsible should be removed from office immediately. The corruption so evident should be robustly investigated and ALL responsible imprisoned. They are actively stealing Cayman’s future from our children. #worldclass my ass.

        • Anonymous says:

          And your plan is?

          • Anonymous says:

            Demand action and accountability, and embarrass them into action?

            • Anonymous says:

              They cannot be embarrassed into doing anything. You elected at least convicted criminals last elections. They are immune to embarrassment.

              • Anonymous says:

                Not them. The Police. The Prosecution Service.
                The Anti-Corruption Commission.
                The Ombudsman.

                They should be operating free from political intervention. Some or all of them are appearing complicit in Cayman’s accelerating descent into anarchy.

  20. anon says:

    Looks like West Bayers can’t be bothered to drive all the way to Barkers any more.

  21. Anonymous says:

    This is called “shitting on your own doorstep”. Shameful acts committed by loathsome mendicants.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely NO excuse for littering. But when will DEH realize that most districts, but especially the larger ones, need a permanent dumpster location? People are NOT going to stop dumping but SOME people who can’t be bothered to drive their shit to the GT landfill would dump it in a proper dumpster in their own district, if same were available ALL the time”

    Oh, I forgot – common sense is not at all common in Cayman’s Civil Service.

    World Class, Mr. Franz!

    • Anonymous says:

      surely it would be less expensive for the trucks to collect from one large bin/site once a week per district vs collecting from individual houses

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s all well and fine to suggest dumpsters in the districts but there is zero chance that DEH would be able to maintain the site. Just look at the recycle area at getto fosters, sorry I mean wb fosters….

      • Anonymous says:

        Don’t blame DEH. Blame the residents who are incapable of getting items into the correct bin properly.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree that having dumpster or some type of dump location in each district would be great but Cayman is a small place so a trip to the dump is a 20 minute drive maximum so there is no excuse.

  23. Anonymous says:

    There is no penalty for this, ever.

    • Anon345 says:

      fine them AND make them clear up their mess and others so that they are massively inconvenienced and understand the problem they are causing to others and the environment.

  24. Anonymous says:

    I think I’m right in saying that since the anti littering law was introduced in the late eighties, there’s never been a successful prosecution under it. A classic example of passing laws for the optics and not the reality.

    • Anonymous says:

      The fact that there has been not a single prosecution for a widespread offense leads to perceptions of corruption. Just sayin.

      • Anonymous says:

        Or might it be widespread corruption that gives rise to perceptions of corruption?
        #Legge was right.

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