The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) (Tel: (345) 949 6696) is responsible for all waste management and recycling in the Cayman Islands. Residential garbage is collected once per week on Grand Cayman, while commercial garbage is collected based on the needs of the individual business.
There is no charge for residential garbage collection but there is for condo and commercial garbage collection. Complexes with 10 or more dwelling places are viewed as commercial establishments.
Place your garbage on the kerbside on the evening before your scheduled pick-up day to avoid a missed collection as pick-up commences as early as 3am. Garbage containers will not be collected if they are too heavy; so make sure that your garbage container has a maximum capacity of 33 gallons. Avoid putting the following items into your garbage container: hot coals, grease/oils, sharp objects, garden waste, dead animals, liquids, household hazardous waste items and electronic appliances. Take these items to the George Town Landfill drop off area which is open 24/7. Pour water on hot coals before disposing of them as hot coals may reignite several days after a fire has been extinguished.
Hazardous material, including batteries and chemicals must be disposed of properly. Household batteries can be taken to the grocery stores and chemicals and oil must be taken to the landfill.
Electronic equipment and other household appliances can be recycled and Kevin Ropes will come and collect it directly. Call (345) 321 6126 or email kevinropes@yahoo.com. JUNK also collects recyclables from private residences and businesses. Tel: (345) 325 5865. Apartment complexes, strata developments and businesses are charged a small annual fee which is based on the size, container type, its servicing frequency and category of business or apartment complex.
Be sure to separate glass items, tin and aluminium cans, types 1 & 2 plastics and cardboard items, all of which are 100% recyclable, from household waste. Refer to the Recycling section for more details on recycling your waste.
The DEH provides free kerbside bulk waste (old furniture, appliances, etc.) pick up once per year. Never place bulk items out on the kerbside until the DEH has announced its annual bulk waste pick-up schedule. You may, however, hire DEH to pick up your bulk waste throughout the year at the cost of CI$75 per load.
Lastly, littering by throwing things out of your car, and/or dumping (or ‘fly tipping’) is illegal in the Cayman Islands and can lead to a hefty fine.