Environmental Questions
Recycling oil in the Sister Islands
Can the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) say what happens to all the used engine oil in the Sister Islands? Commercial dive boats, cars and other vehicles, industrial equipment used oil, the utility diesel generators? Auntie’s answer: I asked the DEH and received a very prompt reply. An official explained that the Sister Islands have […]
Recycling options limited on Sister Islands
We enjoy recycling opportunities including aluminium, plastic, glass, cardboard and paper, tyres, batteries and others. It is my understanding that the Sister Islands do not have collection and recycling for glass, plastic, cardboard or paper. Can you confirm whether this is true and, if so, find out why not? They may be small, but both islands appear […]
Why are trees being cut down on the beach?
I refer to a reader who asked: “And why the hell did they cut down those shady pine needle trees that were near the water on the beach side?” Aren’t SMB and everything on it protected by law? Who and why had cut those trees down? Who permitted the action? SMB is a national treasure […]
Recyclables and garbage are kept separate
I was told that separating trash into recycling material and regular material doesn’t make sense because the recycling material collected at the collecting stations (supermarkets) gets dumped into the same dump truck as the regular trash. This was witnessed by someone I know. Could you do some investigative research and let us know what happens to […]
Regulating use of spear guns
What are the current laws on importing spear guns or spear gun parts? Can any Caymanian with a clean police record obtain a spear gun licence? Auntie’s answer: I contacted the Department of Environment (DoE) and an official explained that the spear gun licensing programme is being updated to take into account the amendments that […]
Worried about emissions from incinerators
Are there laws regulating solid waste incineration units? I am referring to regulations that limit emissions of nine air pollutants (i.e., particulate matter, carbon monoxide, dioxins/furans, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, lead, mercury, and cadmium) from four categories of solid waste incineration units: residential solid waste; hospital, medical and infectious solid waste; commercial and industrial solid […]
Visitor wants licence to fish in Cayman
I will be visiting in September. I would like to buy a fishing licence so I can fish from shore. Where can I buy one for a non-resident? Auntie’s answer: There is no requirement to get a fishing licence in the Cayman Islands, either for residents or visitors. A Department of Environment (DoE) official explained […]
Bothered by septic tank odour
I want to find out why the septic tank at the Silver Oaks complex smells so bad most of the time. Is it a case that it is not pumped regularly? Does the law mandate regular pumping? Auntie’s answer: I cannot give you a definitive reply as to why there is an issue, but I […]
Recycling in Cayman not a waste
A month ago, Foster’s Food Fair gave me a recycling box (kudos to FFF) which I have since been using to throw out my cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminium. I dutifully bring the items in the box to the proper recycling bins by Kirk supermarket. Recently someone told me it’s pointless to recycle here because […]
Kirk Market goes green for the reefs
(Auntie): After an article published this week on CNS about Hawaii banning sunscreen toxic to coral reefs, CNS put out a call to let us know about any retail outlets that stock safe brands. I am glad to share that Kirk Market has a variety of these products for sale, and for that, I am […]
Kudos to Hurley’s for going green
(Auntie): Today is World Oceans Day, so this seems like a very good day to recognise Hurley’s for a total switch from plastic to paper shopping bags, having awarded Jacques Scott for the same thing last month. However, I have to note that I did contact the other main supermarkets about their policy on this […]
Wants to recycle batteries
I recently changed the batteries in all my smoke detectors, and numerous handheld controllers. So, I have close to 20 household batteries to recycle. But I can’t find battery recycle bins in Camana Bay any more (they used to be in each building). Where else on island can I drop these recycled batteries? Auntie’s answer: […]
Removing an abandoned car
A car has been abandoned on our road (number plates, etc, were removed). The police were called but have done nothing. What are the steps to getting this eyesore removed? It is dumped on an empty plot, but I don’t know who that belongs to. I wasn’t expecting to have to spend time to deal […]
Concerned about official recycling efforts
With all the recent uncertainty surrounding the management at DEH, how can we be sure that what we place in the recycling bins around the island is actually being recycled? Auntie’s answer: I have not yet received a reply to your question from the Department of Environmental Health, but just this morning they sent out […]
Worried about pollution from mobile car washers
Does any government body police the mobile car washes with regards to the chemicals they use and let seep into the ground water? I would imagine Department of Environment or Department of Environmental Health should be looking out for our interests but I have never seen any attempt to control the disposal of the chemical […]
Recycling should be required in Cayman
I’m wondering why recycling is not mandatory in Cayman Islands. We all know garbage is a problem worldwide. But looking at “Mount Trashmore”, it’s huge here. In the past we had two garbage collections weekly, cut back to one now. Why doesn’t DEH replace the second collection with a recyclable one? I do take my […]
Concerned about pesticides sprayed in Cayman
I am concerned as to the safety of what the MRCU (Mosquito Research and Control Unit) are using when they spray to kill mosquitos and its impact on Cayman residents. I assume the liquid adulticides showing on their website are what is being sprayed from the plane. Their website shows two products: Aqua-Reslin (active ingredients permethrin 20%, piperonyl […]
Tracking air quality by GT landfill
Is there any information on how often air levels are checked within a five-mile radius of the dump? Dealing with this toxic environment so close to an elementary school, homes and businesses should be Cayman’s top priority. But in the meantime, how close an eye is being kept on toxicity levels? With thanks, a very […]
