DoEH begins small battery recycling
(CNS): Although the Cayman Islands is still a long way for a comprehensive recycling programme for the majority of its waste the department of environment along with other NGOs around the island continue to make small steps towards removing some things from the landfill. Small Batteries are the latest items now being collected for recycling. Batteries used in cell-phones, cameras, pagers, two-way radios, calculators, small cordless tools, and other personal digital devices can all be recycled, officials said. While any reduction in waste going to the landfill no matter how small is welcome the main benefit with this latest effort is keeping the metals contained in the batteries from contaminating the environment.
The programme to collect small batteries in special containers located at supermarkets is in addition to the department’s existing programme of collecting lead-acid batteries used in cars, boats, heavy equipment and other large vehicles.
Urging everyone to support this latest and all the existing recycling initiatives the environmental Health, minister said he was pleased to see the department adding another element to the recycling programme. “Recycling is a key component to reduce overall waste volume,” Osbourne Bodden added.
The DEH is now asking the public not to throw the batteries in the household trash, but to bring them to the DEH battery recycling containers located at supermarkets, schools and central points throughout the three islands.
Metals such as lithium, zinc, copper, nickel, and manganese are used in small batteries, while lead is used in larger batteries. All batteries collected through the DEH recycling programme will be shipped off of the Cayman Islands to a recycling facility where they will be melted and recycled into other products.
The other items collected by the DEH recycling programme are aluminium cans, used motor oil, cooking oil, scrap metals, and batteries, as well as natural Christmas trees. In addition, receptacles for plastics, glass and aluminium are provided by private recycling companies and are located throughout Grand Cayman.
“Many residents and visitors are supportive of our current recycling programme,” said DEH Director Roydell Carter who said recycling conserves energy, saves natural resources, keeps the environment cleaner, reduces the country’s carbon foot print and allows the public to play its part in helping save the environment. But above all locally recycling cuts down a little on the stuff taken to the ever-growing George Town dump.
For further information on recycling, contact Tania Johnson at 743-5952 or through email at recycle@gov.ky or visiting the DEH website at www.deh.gov.ky
Category: Local News
Who has a pager?
Me thinks ye might find one in the museum
My drug dealer swears by them.
The recycling people on dump road have shipped in excess of 2 million pounds of batterys off cayman and would be happy to recycle your batterys just bring them to the warehouse on dump road with the big recycle banner
Customs charges $5.00 per commercial battery ( truck,car,boat ,implement ) upon import duty per battery , for handling waste batteries . D.E.H at the landfill loads these batteries , lead-acid /AGM & Gel batteries into containers for export.
The government as such is doing their part ,albiet a small part, in controlling hazardous waste in batteries.The public shouldnt need a monetary incentive to return their dead & used batteries , but should do it out of environmental awareness. I've seen vehicle drivers in our area suffer a failed battery , you drive by the next day & the vehicle is gone , but their used battery is tossed over on its side, on the shoulder of the road. Same at Savannah Newlands boat ramp. Boat fails to start ( bad battery….) next time using the ramp..refuse batteries sitting on the ground, near the boat ramp. Concerned resident stops- loads these discarded batteries into back of truck & delivers to waste handling locations.
Other than the land-fill drop off , most automotive retailers & repair workshops will take your ( car-boat-commercial) battery back for re-cycling. But only if you stop throwing them on the ground & driving off . Dont expect & core refund on your bad battery , it started your car 3,000 times over the past 3 years at the minimum- you got your moneys worth !!
I have read this whole article about the DoEH . agree that it is a good step in preseveration . i do not see it working by just putting recycle bin out and asking not to throw their batteries or anything that they are trying to recyle in the garbage . Because most of the people i know do not have the time or care to take it to the recycle bins .But will take it there if they know they can get $$$ for it . My suggestion to helping this work which i am all in favor of the new program , do a little more than what they do in the U S A . You have to pay $10. 00 core charge when you purchase a new battery . Going a little further drop the import duties on all batteries , but charge a core fee on all batteries , then when you take them to the recycle bin you get your core charge back ,if you dont need to buy a new battery .The core charge should be on the price and size of the battery . People please go along with the DoEH and help anyway you can because it is our enviorment that is at stake here . Better to be a $ short than a day late !
Stongly agree, there is little incentive for people to dispose of batteries in a designated place. That's why there are batteries strewn everywhere in the bush, roadside and even backyards. A recycler is doing DEH a favor by removing a dead battery from the loop. The least the CIG could do is pay back the core charge to the consumer if the battery doesn't end up at the dump.
Why not bring the handful of AAA, AA, or 9 volts that might accrue in a week to the grocery store? It isn't really very complicated or a big imposition. Everyone should be voluntarily recycling household waste. Those that aren't are part of our very serious waste problem.
I agree with you. Though I think the government should impose a recycling curriculum or environmental care program in all schools. A lot of people are ignorant when it comes to recycling. However teaching children at a young age will help them understand the importance and can help the parents with understanding the importance. It is easy to have a small bag or container and bring them to the supermarket and fun for the kids to put them in the containers. However the people that will not bring the batteries are the same people that don't bring the reusable bags to the supermarket.
Who is going to pay for all the employes at the recycle bins ?