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.
On This Page
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.
Bulk Waste Collection
The DEH provides free kerbside bulk waste (old furniture, appliances, etc.) pick up once per year. Electronics and hazardous materials are not accepted. Never place bulk items out on the kerbside until the DEH has announced its annual bulk waste pick-up schedule. In 2023, the DEH changed their schedule from November to May.
Timetable for Grand Cayman
- West Bay: 1st-6th May
- George Town: 8th-13th May
- Bodden Town: 15th-20th May
- North Side/East End: 22nd-27th May
Timetable for Cayman Brac
- East Side: 22nd-23rd May
- West Side: 24th-25th May
- South Side: 26th May
Timetable for Little Cayman
- 24th May
You may
hire DEH to pick up your bulk waste throughout the year at the cost of
CI$75 per load. To get in touch with someone at the DEH Solid Waste
Unit, call (345) 949 6696 (or (345) 948 2321 for customers on the Sister
Islands).
Household Garbage
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.
Garden Waste
Garden waste can be taken to the George Town landfill. For those living in North Side or East End, Beacon Farms
(Tel: (345) 917 9800) accepts all green waste from individuals or
landscaping companies. The loads of green waste must be completely free
from plastic and all non-organic material. They then mix the green waste
with shredded paper and cardboard to make nutrient-rich compost. Please
call them to arrange a drop off time.
Hazardous Material
Hazardous materials include batteries and chemicals, which 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 & Household Appliances
Both can be recycled and Kevin Ropes (Tel: (345) 321 6126) will come and collect it directly. You can also email kevinropes@yahoo.com. JUNK (Tel: (345) 325 5865) collects recyclables from private residences and businesses. 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.
Separate Recyclables
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.
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 minimum fine of CI$500 and six months imprisonment. Do not litter!