Over the past few years, Cayman residents have made a significant shift towards more eco-friendly thinking.
The public has taken steps to build a greener future for the Island, ranging from increased recycling efforts, driving awareness of environmental issues threatening the Island and eating more sustainably.
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2019 Overview
The Government’s controversial cruise berthing facility plan has dominated conversation during 2019, as residents have voiced their fears over the irreversible damage the project will have on the ecosystem and Cayman’s tourism product.
The success of the grassroots initiative by the Cruise Port Referendum (CPR) volunteers has motivated the public to take matters into their own hands on other issues, such as saving Barkers Beach. Cayman’s youth have also been demanding change. Students from across the Island took part in the Global Climate Strike by demonstrating on Government steps, urging those in power to address the Island’s environmental issues and take action to solve them.
The community has been making a conscious effort to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution, with local non-profit organisation Plastic Free Cayman holding monthly beach or inland clean-ups, hosting educational events and creating the ‘345 Pledge’, to encourage individuals, businesses and schools to make waste-reducing changes. Trash Talks Cayman have been producing art made solely from the garbage found on Cayman’s shores; the pieces are on display across the Island as a stark reminder of our plastic pollution problem. Grocery stores Island-wide are stocking more eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics, with glass and metal drinking straws, plastic-free wooden toothbrushes, reusable water bottles, and canvas produce bags, among the most commonly found items. Hurley’s has even banned single-use plastic bags at their checkouts.
On a small Island like Cayman, holding people accountable for their actions, or lack of, can make a real difference, so visit establishments with eco-friendly practices and boycott those that are doing nothing.
Recycling Locationskeyboard_arrow_right
You can do your part to help make Cayman greener! Take all your recyclables to the various recycling centres conveniently located across Grand Cayman.
Read MoreLandfill Sitekeyboard_arrow_right
One of the most pressing environmental issues for the community is the George Town landfill site.
Read MoreSustainable Foodkeyboard_arrow_right
A significant factor of sustainable living includes making the right choices when it comes to food. In Cayman, much of our food is imported and a considerable amount of energy, fuel and water is used in the entire process of growing, distributing, storing and cooking our food. Although choosing local produce is a great way to offset this energy from being used, in Cayman we do not always have the option to do that. Consciously eliminating food waste, however, can have the same desired effect of indirectly slowing down global warming and deforestation.
Read MoreGreen at Workkeyboard_arrow_right
There are steps you can take to ensure your work environment is greener: make sure to turn off lights, computer monitors and the air conditioning, when you leave the office at night; only print when necessary; collect office newspapers and take them to the Humane Society; recycle your printer toner cartridges.
Read MoreGreen at Homekeyboard_arrow_right
Whether you own or are renting a home, making environmentally friendly choices will help preserve Cayman's beauty for generations to come.
Read MoreBuilding Greenkeyboard_arrow_right
In recent years, the paradigm has shifted and ‘going green’ is no longer just a trendy tag line; it has become the standard when building in Cayman.
Read More'Greener' Swimming Pools
Swimming pools are a fantastic addition to any household. Not only do they help us cool off, especially in the summer months, but they are great to relax in as well. They are also ideal for entertaining friends and family.
The downside is that they do consume a lot of energy. Whether it is filtering the water, heating the water or running the pump, not to mention keeping it clean, all of it requires energy. There are however several steps you can take to help the environment and keep your energy bills down at the same time – so you can get on with relaxing in the sun.
As a pool owner there are several steps you can take to help keep your energy bills down:
- Cover it up: A pool cover will reduce heat loss, water evaporation and chemical consumption by up to 70%. It also helps keep your pool clean, meaning you’ll have to run your filter pump less often.
- Think about the pump: A pool filter pump is the second largest consumer of energy in a home behind your A/C. If you install a two-speed, variable speed or solar powered pump, it will pay for itself very quickly with energy savings.
- Environmentally friendly products: Consider using a chlorine generator, which turns ordinary salt into chlorine and is kinder to the environment and your skin. Use LED lights for lighting.
To find out more about swimming pools contact Oasis Pool & Spa or Pool Patrol.
Solar Systems in Caymankeyboard_arrow_right
Cayman’s goal of obtaining 25% of its power from renewable resources by 2025 has raised discussion for alternative ways of doing this.
Read MoreGetting Around by Electric Car
Aside from the use of electricity to air condition our homes and businesses, the biggest offenders of pollution and fuel consumption is cars. Car pooling and the use of buses, when available, can help ease congestion and reduce emissions on Cayman’s roadways. Bicycling is another option, but most Cayman roads lack a safe shoulder to ride on, so it can be dangerous.
Encouragingly, there is support for electric cars, helped by the Government reducing import duty on electric and hybrid vehicles from the minimum (current) rate of 29.5% (for vehicles) to a flat rate of 10% for electric cars and 15% for hybrid cars.
Some more good news: Cayman has electric car charging stations located all around Grand Cayman. Charge your car for free!
Environmentally-Friendly Fuel
Those without electric vehicles can benefit from Refuel gas station, Cayman’s first provider of modern, environmentally-friendly fuel. The facility stocks five grades of fuels including three grades of E10 (10% ethanol), B5 (5% biodiesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel). Ethanol and biodiesel have higher octane and cetane ratings (respectively) than petrol and diesel alone and lower emissions than other boosters. These modern fuels don’t produce as many damaging exhaust emissions and reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions (although some CO2 is produced as a by-product, the plants grown to create the fuel absorb carbon dioxide meaning that the net carbon emissions is much lower than fuels such as petrol). Most of the fuel in the US and UK contain ethanol in its petrol and biodiesel in its diesel in an effort to reduce emissions, but Refuel is the first petrol station to market it in Cayman. The station is located opposite the airport post office in George Town and plans for a second station are already in place.
Check out these local companies that sell electric cars:
Cayman's Green Communitykeyboard_arrow_right
There are several ways you can become actively involved in preserving and protecting Cayman’s environment and “greening-up” our Islands. Luckily there are many organsations in Cayman working towards this goal. So get involved today!
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