New CI$736k compactor expected to cut dump fires

| 19/05/2023 | 29 Comments
Department of Environmental Health new compactor, Cayman News Service
DEH operators on the new compactor

(CNS): Officials at the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) have welcomed the arrival of a new Bomag BC 972 RB-2 Refuse Compactor, which will help the team prevent fires at the George Town dump. The compactor was ordered ten months ago and cost $735,816. DEH Director Richard Simms said it would enhance disposal operations at the landfill, where the battle with equipment continues. 

“We have been struggling with maintaining and keeping up our equipment for quite some time, so the receiving of this Bomag Compactor for the landfill is well received by the team. We are in a better position now to compact the garbage more effectively and reduce the potential of landfill fires,” he said, but added, “We will see some.”

The compactor was assembled on-site and went into operation earlier this month. Staff have now been trained to use the machine by the manufacturers, who will continue to support the acquisition throughout its contract period. Meanwhile, a new engine is currently being sorted to install in the old Al Jon 500 Compactor, which will be placed back in operation as a backup unit.   

Health Minister Sabrina Turner said the arrival of the compactor followed years of requests by the DEH for equipment. “People will soon see the positive impact that it will have on the day-to-day operations of the landfill until things change,” Turner said, referring to the ongoing and protracted talks over the proposed waste-management project, ReGen, which is expected to eventually almost eliminate landfilling.


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Category: Environmental Health, Health

Comments (29)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    KYD 735,816?? 🙈

    Who authorized the purchase?

  2. Anonymous says:

    big boyz with their big toyz.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Just lipstick on a pig. Concentrate on fixing the dump.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    https://www.truck1.eu/construction-machinery/compactors/bomag-bc-972-rb-landfill-compactor-a5954724.html

    many for sale ~50k

    what in the absolute cayman islands kind of procurement was this?

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    • Anonymous says:

      For used crap in the UK lol
      But still your right about the cost being so high!!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Judging from the pictures, that looks like something to be found IN a landfill and not for use ON a landfill.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Could they not find any more expensive? And heaven forbid that they have two pieces of equipment of the same brand.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    I hope those poor bastards in the picture are being provided danger pay and decent health insurance.

    When they all drop dead in their 50s from lack of OHSA and breathing in lord only knows what on that dump – whilst ironically using a vehicle for Landfills which we don’t have – for their careers, I do hope that the Government will provide for their families.

    The rest of us left to roll the dice with the “safe tap water” on island will no doubt be left to pray to the gods of CINICO and our meagre pensions to keep us alive.

    Loving life.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Hazardous work conditions. There is no OSHA equivalent in the Banana Republic. Unfortunately they are not so bright to demand extra pay, life insurance and free medical coverage for the rest of their lives.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    THOUGH THEY WOULD INVEST MORE INTO RECYCLING>>>>>

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  8. Kman says:

    Where’s the justification and lack of transparency in purchasing this $1 million piece of equipment? Oh let me guess, its a pat on the back favor to a good friend or buying toys at the taxpayers expense. Instead of investing in a recycling we’re continuing to fill Mount Trashmore up to the sky,soon we’ll have our own Himalayas with our dinosaur 🦕 politicians working their magic.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    When Osborne Bodden was Health Minister just a few short years ago, DEH bought and commissioned two similar compactors. Seems like only one of those is still operating? No?

    Short life span. Hmm, proper maintenance?

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Was the rust on the wheels extra?

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    • Anonymous says:

      One week in Cayman’s salt air is sufficient. A more important question is why wasn’t Sabrina shown driving it? Like JuJu on the paver in Cayman Brac.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Fix the damn dump Turner. Since Wayne clearly is incapable.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Not to worry it will be inoperable in a month.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Will be busted beyond repair within 6 months.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    In other news thousands of glass bottles a day have gone in the dump for months now

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    • Anonymous says:

      Nope. My Caybrew bottles are returned to the Cayman Islands Brewery to be reused in exchange for a discount on my next case.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    Best part of a million USD for equipment which will be obsolete in a few years? Or is this an admission that the dump deal is never going to happen?

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  16. Anonymous says:

    KYD$735,816 is nearly USD$1mln. Are we supposed to just blindly accept that dollar figure as reasonable? MSRP elsewhere for comps looks to be under USD$250k. Used low-hour Bomag BC 972 RB-2 Refuse Compactors can be found online for less than USD$50k. It’s not like there would be any duty payable on landed cost. The public needs more transparency on this (and every) equipment procurement, especially involving the DEH.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Why buy second hand when we have such a large surplus – it’s not as if the civil service feels any need to be sparing with the public’s money, after all.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You left out the trip by the Minister and 20 lackeys to examine and assess the capabilities of said machine plus the ongoing training and assessment of how well it compacts said refuse.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Not the right dealerhip. Your figures imply a crimial investigation should ensue.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    just a bandaid on gangrene

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Let’s break the landfilled glass into refracting parabolic lenses of light that….ignites fires. Twice the landed cost of the municipal glass crusher we are still missing.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Municipal glass crusher was t expensive enough to make the procurement commissions worthwhile.

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