Environmental Questions
Are there rules for leaving garbage out?
I have noticed a few things when the garbage trucks come in the morning to pick up the trash in my neighbourhood. If the trash bins are not outside the enclosure, they don’t bother emptying them and if they do, they don’t put them back where they belong and instead just leave them lying around by […]
Can I feed cheese to fish in Cayman’s waters?
Is it OK to spray canned cheese into the water to attract fish when snorkelling? I’ll be coming to visit the Cayman Islands soon and I’ve heard that the fish really love that stuff but not sure that is a good idea. Auntie’s answer: Well, from a purely common-sense standpoint, it is hard for me […]
Who do I contact if I spot green iguanas?
How do you report green iguana sightings on Grand Cayman? I have done some online research and there are phone numbers for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, but I cannot find anything for Grand Cayman. Auntie’s answer: The Department of Environment (DoE), which oversees the green iguana culling programme, maintains a list of all the […]
How do we know that Cayman’s waters are safe?
I was disturbed to read a recently published article which said high levels of faecal bacteria were found in water at public beaches in East End and North Side in October 2018. The report also said that the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) does not have the necessary staff or equipment available to regularly test […]
Why can’t you recycle at the airport?
I asked one of the cleaners at the airport where I should put my soda can and was told to put it in the garbage. Why are there no recycling points at the airport? Auntie’s answer: I must admit I was taken aback by this question, as it didn’t seem possible that a freshly renovated […]
Why are there green iguanas at the Turtle Centre?
In January we took our young grandson to the Cayman Turtle Centre, where he enjoyed holding a turtle and going on the waterslide. As we were sitting near the swimming pool, I was surprised to see a number of green iguanas on the ground and in the trees nearby. As well, it appeared to me […]
What dive sites are affected by enhanced marine areas?
It’s great that the Cayman government and the Department of the Environment plan to significantly expand and enforce the protected marine areas and increase the no-fishing and no-diving zones. I am a diver and will be sorry to lose access to some sites, but it is vitally important to protect this precious natural resource – and […]
Measuring recyclables shipped overseas
What are the units for the recyclables shipped from Cayman, ie per tonne, cubic foot or something else? Auntie’s answer: This question arose from a reader’s comment to a previous column on recycling (see Where do Cayman’s recyclables wind up?) which explained where goods such as plastics, cardboard and aluminium cans are shipped and how […]
Why can’t we recycle all plastics?
I attempt to recycle everything I can and even make product choices based on packaging. My question is, since all the recyclables are shipped off island for processing anyway, why are we only recycling types 1 and 2 of plastic through the DoE? Surely it would be to Cayman’s benefit to send everything we can […]
Separated recycled items mixed during collection
I was dropping off some recycling at Kirk Market when I saw that all recycling containers are dumped into the same truck. Why do we need to sort recycling if that’s the case? Couldn’t we have one big recycling bin instead? Auntie’s answer: This is a very timely question as the Department of Environmental Health […]
DoE looking to fill Brac position
Would you find out if DoE has any plans to replace the former marine officer on the Brac? Auntie’s answer: This question came up in the comments this week under this article: Local grouper sites offer hope for species survival. I contacted the Department of Environment for a response and once more I received a […]
Where do Cayman’s recyclables wind up?
As the US reroutes their recycling to Southeast Asia, rumour has it that Cayman’s recycling (and possibly the rest of the Caribbean’s recycling) is being held in limbo or is costing the Cayman Islands Government more $$$ to ship off Island. I know you’ve answered questions about recycling before but could you find out where […]
Parting ways with your Christmas tree
If you do not place your Christmas tree in one of the bins that the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has put out by their deadline, what are the options for dealing with the tree? Auntie’s answer: While I can’t really take issue with the 18 January cut-off date to drop off your Christmas tree, […]
Do iguana cullers carry liability protection?
Can you find out if those who have registered to cull the green iguanas have liability insurance? No one I know doing this will talk about that. Auntie’s answer: The issue is a bit complicated and the answer not that straightforward. I received an explanation from the Department of Environment (DoE), which is in charge […]
Is pollution monitored in Cayman?
Do we have any pollution monitoring here on the island? Ocean water quality, air quality, anything? Are there any statistics, on any topic? On the WHO website it seemed we are the only country that is not proactive in regards to these matters. Auntie’s answer: This is one of those questions that necessitated input from […]
Objecting to a coastal works application
Can the wider public voice objections to coastal works applications regardless of how close they live to the site? How are those objections considered?
Pesticide use in organic farming
I am a regular visitor to farmers market at the cricket grounds. I like to buy from there as I believe the produce sold there are organic. But, as I understand it, even the certified organic products worldwide are allowed to use a certain percentage of pesticides, etc.
Distinguishing blue from green iguanas
Is it possible for you to post an article with pictures showing the differences between a Cayman blue and the invasive green iguanas? I am hoping that when the cullers were vetted they were shown differences and how to quickly/easily spot which is which. I would love to see good photos of them side by […]
