Recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials that would usually be thrown away, into new materials and objects. Recycling waste reduces the amount of harmful materials in the environment by making sure these materials are kept away from landfills.

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) oversees all of the Islands' recycling. It also manages the DEH Recycling Center located in the landfill. There is no fee for this service. Assistance is provided during regular business hours.

There are many reasons why recycling is essential. Not only can it help reduce your carbon footprint, but it also helps reduce the need for harvesting raw materials, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gases, prevents pollution, and more.

  • It saves energy! Making new items requires significant energy
  • It saves natural resources that sometimes cannot be replaced
  • Reduces the amount of garbage at landfills
  • Reduces environmental pollution

What are the 3 'R's

The most effective way to reduce garbage is to avoid creating it in the first place. The principle of Reducing waste, Reusing and Recycling resources and products is often called the "3Rs."

REDUCING
means choosing to use things with care to reduce the amount of waste generated.
 
REUSING
involves the repeated use of items or parts of items which still have usable aspects.
 
RECYCLING
means the use of waste itself as resources.
 
 

Through waste reduction, items are used to their fullest extent and less items will need to be recycled or landfilled.

The Following Materials are Recycled by DEH

All recyclables are stored at the recycling area at the George Town Landfill. Once sufficient quantities are collected, recyclables are prepared and shipped to a United States recycling plant.

Recyclables in Cayman Brac & Little Cayman are stored at their respective landfills until arrangements are made for shipping to Grand Cayman for further processing. 

Certain recyclables such as scrapped metals & used tyres are tendered out. For more information, visit the CI Government Central Tendering Department at www.centraltenders.gov.ky

Recycling Plastic

Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times: we now use about 20 times more plastic than we did 50 years ago.

We can optimise the lifespan of plastics by re-using and recycling items as many times as possible.

There are many types of plastics. However, in Cayman Islands, only plastics TYPE 1 & 2 can be recycled at the DEH Recycling Center.

PETE or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) is used in the production of soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars, etc. It can be recycled into fiberfill for sleeping bags, carpet fibers, rope, pillows and other items.

HDPE (High density polyethylene) is found in milk jugs, butter tubs, detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, etc. It can be recycled into flower pots, trash cans, traffic barrier cones and detergent bottles. 

Steps to Recycle Plastic

  1. Find the plastic number
  2. Clean the item
  3. Separate items that are     non-recyclable
  4. Drop it into the DEH’s  BLUE   recycle container

Recycle Paper & Cardboard

The DEH also receives mixed paper which includes cardboard and paperboard items. Always include your old shoe boxes, cereal and cracker boxes, tissue and paper towel rolls in your mixed paper recycling.

Prepare your recyclable:

  1. Ensure boxes are empty
  2. Ensure materials are clean & dry
  3. Cut or break down until materials are flat
  4. Drop it into the DEH’s  YELLOW  recycle container

Recycle Metal Containers

These include tin and aluminium cans which are often utilized for packaging beverages and food. 
The term metal containers also refers to disposable aluminium food trays and aluminium foil.
 

Prepare your recyclable:

1. Items must be empty, clean & dry!

2. Drop it into the DEH’s  GRAY  recycle container

Recycle Motor & Cooking Oil

The DEH team will handle the recycling of used cooking oil and motor oil. Just carry it to the landfill and store it as follows:

5 Gallon containers or less - In Grand Cayman, please use the 24 hour Drop-off area at the entrance of the GT Landfill. In Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, please drop-off at the designated area in the landfill.

5 to 275 Gallon drums - Please bring to the recycling area at the Landfill between 7am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Never use containers that held household chemical, lubricants and automobile fluids.

Please note that in the event of a hurricane, used oil will not be accepted during the warning phase of a hurricane alert.

Recycle Scrap Metal/Derelict Vehicles

Please bring to the Landfill. Owners of the vehicles should follow Department of Vehicles and Drivers Licensing procedures before disposing of vehicles at the landfill, Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Click here to see DEH lasts Guidelines

Recycle Hazardous Material

Hazardous waste has substantial or potential threats to public health of the environment. Please bring to the Landfill for proper processing & disposal. The solid waste office must be contacted at 949-6696 before the hazardous waste is brought to the landfill.

Here is a list of most common hazardous waste: oily rags, oils & filters, fluorescent light tubes & bulbs, aerosols & solvents, chemicals from photography studios, dry cleaning chemicals, printer cartridges, X-ray machinery, etc.

Recycle Natural Christmas Tree

Natural Christmas trees are collected in Grand Cayman by the DEH in January and then mulched.

The mulch is provided free of cost to the public.

Get your Christmas Tree ready for recycling:

  1. Remove all ornaments, wires and base from tree
  2. Take natural Christmas tree to the designated drop off sites. 

Recycle Batteries

Batteries power almost everything in our lives. They can be the solution for many things but they can also become a problem. If they are not discharged properly, they can damage the environment, harm people and cause fires.

Locations of Recycle Depots

  • Ed Bush Sport Centre, West Bay
  • Foster’s at the Airport Centre, George Town
  • Kirk Market, George Town
  • Camana Bay Recycling Centre, West Bay
  • BarCam Service Station, Red Bay
  • Foster’s at Countryside Shopping Village, Bodden Town
  • Haig Bodden Sport Centre, Bodden Town
  • Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre, North Side
  • Captain George Dixon Park, East End
Residents can also deposit recyclable items at the 24-hour drop-off site located at the front of the George Town landfill. 

Locations to Recycle Small Batteries

Small Batteries can be recycled by placing batteries in the blue Battery recycling collection bins located throughout Grand Cayman.

WEST BAY

  • Sir John A. Cumber Primary School
  • Grace Christian Academy
  • Wesleyan Christian Academy
  • West Bay Public Library
  • Foster's - Republix
  • Foster’s at Camana Bay 
  • Cost U Less
 
 
 
 
 
 

GEORGE TOWN

  • Cayman Academy
  • Cayman Preparatory School
  • St. Ignatius Catholic School
  • Triple C School
  • John Gray High School
  • Priced Right- The Airport Centre
  • Foster's Food Fair-The Airport Centre
  • George Town Primary School
  • CI Further Education Centre
  • Truth For Youth School
  • University College of the Cayman Islands
  • Victory Tabernacle Church

CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN

  • CI Monetary Authority
  • Government Administration Building
  • Kirk Office
  • Solomon Harris, Attorneys-at-Law, First Caribbean House
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

INDUSTRIAL PARK AREA

  • Department of Environmental Health (DEH) at the CI Environmental Centre
  • Department of Environment (DoE) at the CI Environmental Centre
  • Harbour House Marine
  • Mosquito Research Control Unit 
  • Public Works Department
  • Water Authority
 
 

PROSPECT / RED BAY

  • First Baptist Christian School
  • Hope Academy
  • Hurley’s Supermarket
  • Light House School
  • Prospect Primary School
  • Red Bay Primary School 
 
 
 
 

BODDEN TOWN

  • Foster’s – Countryside
  • Savannah Primary School
  • International College of the Cayman Islands 
  • Bodden Town Primary School
  • Bodden Town Health Centre
  • Bodden Town Library
  • Lorn's Bodden Town Gas Station
  • Savannah Primary School
 
 

EAST END

  • East End Primary School
  • East End Health Centre
  • Foster's  
 
 
 

NORTH SIDE

  • Clifton Hunter High School
  • North Side  Primary School
  • North Side Health Centre
  • North Side Public Library
  • Chisholm's Supermarket
 

Environmental Health Services

GRAND CAYMAN
SISTER ISLANDS