(CMR) The George Town Landfill is now accepting scrap metals, derelict vehicles, and equipment. However, persons need to follow guidelines implemented by the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) in a proactive effort to reduce the risk of fire at the site.
“We believe that the public plays an important role in reducing the likelihood of fires at the George Town Landfill. This guidance will assist in achieving this common goal. It is also important that the public is aware that DEH reserves the right to refuse entry. If there is any doubt, we encourage the community to contact us before bringing these items to the landfill,” stated Michael Haworth, Assistant Director of Solid Waste, DEH.
Members of the public are invited to drop their scrap metal and derelict vehicles at the George Town Landfill on Monday to Friday from 7 am to 4 pm only and should meet follow the following guidelines set by the DEH.
Derelict vehicles such as cars and small trucks or trailers should be provided separately from other wastes and should not have other waste materials stored inside them.
No containers with materials classified as flammable should be stored in derelict vehicles, and the batteries should be removed.
Light scrap metal should be sorted prior to arrival on-site and should be free of wood, plastic, and other wastes and contamination as far as is reasonably practicable.
All large oversize metallic objects, vehicles, equipment, or structures (for example, heavy construction equipment, shipping containers, storage tanks, steel beams, etc.) should be cut down to dimensions of no greater than 5 feet by 3 feet.
All equipment, large and small, should be drained of all fuels, lubricating fluids, and any other flammable fluids and gases. These include any motorized equipment that contain a combustion engine with or without a fuel tank, including but not limited to:
-Large and small heavy equipment such as excavators, bobcats, cranes, dump trucks, etc.
-Small motorized tools, such as chainsaws, weed ackers, lawnmowers, cement mixers, etc.
-All boats and all personal watercraft
-Generators, fuel tanks, and fuel bunds, etc.
Fuel tanks should be purged/opened to the atmosphere so that any flammable vapors are allowed to dissipate over a 24 hr period.
White goods and other electrical items should be separated from other materials. Batteries should be separated and disposed of at the landfill drop-off for all types. For small batteries, these are accepted at all supermarkets.
Gas bottles of any type should be made safe by removing the headworks or safe releasing the gas by other means and then separated from other materials.
Any mixed waste materials that are already separated can be disposed of in the landfill as normal. If materials are tipped on-site, and it is found that the load does not meet the criteria, landfill officials will request the removal of these items and their correct disposal at the site.
The DEH is seeking the assistance and cooperation of all persons residing in the Cayman Islands to enable more efficient recycling and waste disposal and reduce future risk of fire.
To learn more about how and where to recycle, visit: www.deh.gov.ky.
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