Whichever company (private or government owned) does the recycling of plastic, metal and glass in Cayman, can they place separate bins at each strata for collecting these recyclables and pick them up at regular intervals? There are some large bins at Kirk Market, Camana Bay, etc. but not everyone would remember to save and take them to such places for recycling. It could be very helpful to place smaller bins (not the large containers) at strata developments to make it easy for people to assist with recycling, rather than just putting them in trash. They may also place such bins at other popular places. I know it could be expensive as they will need to hire manpower to collect them, but can anything be done at all about this? How about asking for volunteers?


Auntie’s answer: I like the way you think. Anything that makes it easy for people to recycle is a good thing because, let’s face it, not everyone is going to be keen to save up bottles and tins all week and then haul those to the nearest collection point.

In addition to the places you mentioned, there are recycling bins at Foster’s Supermarkets all around the island and at Grand Harbour; these supermarket depots are the main focus of the Department of Environmental Health’s (DEH) recycling programme, according to an official. The DEH also maintains recycling bins for aluminium cans throughout Cayman, and collects batteries and mulches Christmas trees after the holidays. The environment for recycling has improved greatly over the last few years, but clearly more needs to be done.

Now to your specific question about strata recycling. It sounds to me like you are already leaning in the right direction. Since these are private entities, it is really up to the people living there to encourage others to organise recycling where they live.

There are companies around that pick up bottles and cans and other recyclables along with collecting trash, and a quick online search will direct you to those. The DEH representative added that some strata have already set up their own recycling systems with these private firms.